LI Man Gets 20 Years for Armed Robbery Spree Targeting Cab Drivers

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — A Long Island man will spend 20 years in prison for two shootings and a string of armed robberies targeting cab drivers.

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that 21-year-old Ezekiel Pittman of Roosevelt was sentenced to 20 years on Tuesday.

"This defendant wreaked havoc on the communities of Hempstead and Roosevelt, robbing or shooting multiple victims in a one-man, one-week crime wave," Acting DA Singas said.

Pittman pleaded guilty in April to robbery, assault and various other charges.

The crimes took place in August 2013.

Singas said Pittman got into a cab on Aug. 2, 2013, in the vicinity of 5 Winthrop Street in Hempstead, showed a gun and demanded money from the driver. The driver confronted Pittman, who became nervous and fled.

The next day, Singas said Pittman got into a cab at 57 Willet Place in Roosevelt, displayed a gun and demanded money from the driver. When the driver started to reach into his pocket for money, Pittman became impatient and pistol-whipped the driver. The driver gave Pittman approximately $200 and Pittman fled. 

A few days later, Pittman demanded money from another cab driver at 48 W. Roosevelt Ave. in Roosevelt. After the driver threw $20 at Pittman, the suspect demanded more money, and then allegedly shot the driver in the side. The driver was released from the hospital the next day.

In a separate incident, Pittman approached a man on Fulton Avenue in Hempstead and asked for change and marijuana. Pittman then allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the side. The victim survived after receiving surgery to remove the bullet.

Pittman was arrested by the Nassau County Police Department on Aug. 10, 2013.