Commack Gang Member Convicted In Connection To Home Invasion: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A Commack gang member was convicted as the fifth person charged in connection with the 2016 armed home invasion in Farmingville, Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini announced on Thursday.

Luis Garcia, 36, was convicted by a jury on Wednesday of first degree burglary and first degree robbery, the DA said.

Garcia has been identified by law enforcement as a Bloods gang member, according to the DA.

In August 2016, Garcia and four others, armed with at least one firearm, forcibly entered the Chestnut Avenue home, the DA said. The four other men involved are: 40-year-old Jason Montello, of Bay Shore; 45-year-old Paul Torres, of Middle Island; 41-year-old Anthony Capuano, of Selden; and 24-year-old Ray Pena, of Port Jefferson Station.

The group mistakenly targeted the residence believing it to be the home of a drug dealer, the DA said.

A woman who was in the home entered the kitchen after hearing a noise and was confronted by two of the people, who proceeded to drag her down the hallway of the home by her hair to the master bedroom, the DA said.

The group then demanded drugs and money from the woman and threatened to kill her family and their two dogs, the DA said. They then stole stole a number of items from the home, including jewelry, purses and electronics, according to the DA.

Montello and Torres were convicted by a jury in 2017 of two counts of first degree burglary; three counts of second degree burglary; two counts of first degree robbery; and two counts of second degree robbery.

Montello was sentenced on April to 25 years to life in prison while Torres was also sentenced on April to 24 years to life in prison.

Capuano pleaded guilty in 2017, to 35 criminal charges in connection with the Farmingville home invasion, a second unrelated home invasion, and an unrelated robbery. He was sentenced on January to 14 years in prison.

Pena pleaded guilty on May 8 to two counts of first degree burglary; three counts of second degree burglary; two counts of first degree robbery; two counts of second degree robbery; and fifth degree criminal possession of stolen property. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Garcia faces a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Timothy Mazzei on October 31.

“These individuals thought they were targeting the home of a drug dealer in an attempt to score drugs and money,” Sini said. “Instead, they ended up terrorizing a family in their home, threatening to kill them and stealing their belongings. This was a traumatizing experience for the victims that no family should have to endure.”

Image via Shutterstock