Man Kidnapped, Stole Thousands From LI Woman At Gunpoint: Police

EAST HAMPTON, NY — An East Hampton man pleaded guilty Friday to kidnapping and robbing thousands of dollars from a woman at gunpoint, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.

Jay Rowe, 48, pleaded guilty Friday before Judge Richard Ambro to first-degree robbery, second-degree kidnapping and fourth-degree grand larceny, Tierney said.

He faces 9-and-a-half years in prison and five years of post-release supervision, Tierney said. Rowe is represented by Colin Astarita and is due back in court on May 19, Tierney said.

According to court filings and statements by Rowe, on March 8, 2021, he followed the woman, who he did not know, after she went to a bank in East Hampton and withdrew several thousand dollars. He then got into her vehicle and forced her to a remote location, where he demanded her money at gunpoint, Tierney said.

Rowe then fled on foot and eventually made his way to Massachusetts, where he was arrested; the woman's DNA was found on the victim’s glove box, Tierney said.

The plea agreement includes a forfeiture of the $3,045 in proceeds of the crime that were recovered from Rowe, Tierney said.

“This defendant stalked and preyed upon the victim here and brazenly took by force what did not belong to him,” said Tierney. “His actions demand extensive prison time.”

According to Rowe's attorney Astarita, the DA's office initially made an offer in the area of 12 years if Rowe pleaded guilty to one count; Judge Ambro said if he pleaded guilty to the entire indictment, Rowe would be sentenced to 9-and-a-half years, he said.

"We felt the offer by Judge Ambro was more than fair and we took that offer," Astarita said.