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Posted on: February 9, 2022

Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 23 Years to Life in Prison for Floral Park Jewelry Store Heist

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Justice Brunson and co-defendants stole more than $80,000 in jewelry at gunpoint

MINEOLA, NY – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Brooklyn man was sentenced today to 23 years to life in prison for his role in the robbery of a Floral Park jewelry store, in which he and co-defendants stole more than $80,000 in jewelry. 

Justice Brunson, 43, of Brooklyn, N.Y., was convicted at a jury trial on November 23, 2021 before Judge Helene Gugerty of two counts of robbery in the first degree (a B violent felony), and robbery in the second degree (a C violent felony). Brunson was sentenced today to 23 years to life in prison. 

“This defendant orchestrated a plan to rob Atelier Jewelers, pointed a gun to the heads of the terrified owner and employees, and ran off with more than $80,000 worth of jewelry,” said DA Donnelly. “A jury convicted Justice Brunson on all counts because of the overwhelming evidence in this case, as well as the hard work of our prosecutors and police partners.” 

According to the charges, on November 10, 2017, Justice Brunson sent a female accomplice into Atelier Jewelers in Floral Park under the guise of needing a bracelet repaired. 

The following day, November 11, 2017, at approximately 2:00 p.m. the woman returned to pick up the bracelet and was allowed entry into the store’s locked doors by staff. Brunson and co-defendant Darkel Davis, 35, of Queens, N.Y., wearing masks and gloves, entered behind her, ordering employees to the floor at gunpoint. Together they stole more than $80,000 in jewelry from the store. 

Brunson was arrested by detectives of the Nassau County Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations and Robbery Squad on February 7, 2018. 

Davis was arrested by NCPD Robbery Squad detectives on January 22, 2018. Davis pled guilty to robbery in the first degree on December 17, 2018 and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 29, 2019.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Michelle Lewisohn of the Homicide Bureau and Senior Assistant District Attorney Carissa Danesi of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau. Brunson is represented by Christopher Devane, Esq. 

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