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Office of the District Attorney P. David Soares Pearl Street Robber Pleads Guilty ALBANY , NY – Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares announced today that VICTOR RIVERA, 49, of 1686 Central Avenue, Colonie, NY pled guilty to (1) count of Robbery in the 1st Degree. On March 4, 2007 at approximately 2:00 a.m., two young women leaving a downtown Albany nightclub on Pearl Street heard the sound of tires hissing and noticed RIVERA following them as they returned to their car by way of James Street. They hurried to their car near the Bank of America parking lot, jumped in, and sped off just as RIVERA was at the back of their vehicle. The women drove up State Street to Pearl Street before they could go no further, their tire having been slashed. While firemen worked to change the tire, RIVERA walked past the women several times and then returned to James Street where he followed another young woman who had returned to her car to get her ID. RIVERA then grabbed that victim at knifepoint, forced her against a car, down onto her knees, and threatened to kill her if she screamed. When this victim handed over $50.00, RIVERA let go of her momentarily (the knife being in the other hand), and she bolted. The defendant then ran down James Street, fell, got up and continued to Pearl Street. The victim called 911, came into contact with police and gave them a description of RIVERA, who was apprehended on Pearl Street south of State Street with the knife and $50.00. The victim was able to positively identify RIVERA as her attacker. Surveillance video on James Street shows RIVERA stabbing a tire, stalking the victim and running from her car. Police identified six cars that evening with their tires slashed on James Street. “Residents and visitors should feel safe enjoying the activities that our capital city has to offer, yet crime in the bar district of downtown Albany has been increasing in quantity and severity,” stated DA Soares. “It is my hope that by harshly prosecuting criminals who premeditatedly target female victims during early morning hours will highlight the security problems in that area and help deter future incidents of violence.” RIVERA faces no less than 10 years and no more than 15 years in years in prison for the Felony. Sentencing for RIVERA is scheduled for June 19, 2007. ADA Bruce Lennard from the Major Offense Unit handled the prosecution of this case. # # # For further information contact: Heather Streeter Orth
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