Queens Man Pleads Guilty To Roosevelt Field Robbery, Shooting

A Queens man pleaded guilty today to charges related to a 2015 holiday season robbery at Roosevelt Field Mall that left a mall employee with a gun shot wound.

Oliver Lee, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and three counts of second-degree assault. He is due back in court July 21 and is expected to be sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years post release supervision.

“This defendant terrorized holiday shoppers and shot an innocent mall worker when he attempted to steal a Rolex from a Roosevelt Field jewelry store,” said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. “Thanks to the quick and brave response security guards this defendant was subdued without further violence.”

On Dec. 22, 2015, at approximately 12:55 p.m., Lee brandished a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun in the Rolex section of the Torneau Jewelry Store in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City. He attempted to steal a Rolex Yacht-Master watch that sells for more than $18,000.

Retired NYPD Sergeant Kenneth Krug, a store security guard, attempted to subdue Lee. During the struggle, Lee’s gun, which was in his hand, fired and struck a 67-year-old mall employee in the shoulder.

Two other security guards assisted and detained Lee in another store. Nassau County Police Department officers responded to the scene and arrested Lee.

The shooting victim spent one day in a hospital and has since recovered from his injuries.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department