Man Pleads Guilty to Violent Taxi Robberies

A Roosevelt man admitted in court Wednesday that he robbed three taxi drivers and shot one of them in the summer of 2013, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.

Ezekiel Pittman, 21, pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree robbery, first degree assault, first-degree attemped robbery, and first-degree attempted assault before Acting Supreme Court Justice Helene Gugerty, the DA said.

Gugerty committed to sentencing Pittman to 20 years in prison, the DA said.

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Pittman admitted to robbing three cab drivers at gunpoint in Hempstead and Roosevelt in August 2013, the DA said.

After entering the backseat of each cab, Pittman would reveal he had a gun and demand cash from the driver, officials said.

Pittman was nervous during the first holdup, which took place on Winthrop Street in Hempstead at 1:45 a.m. Aug. 2, and fled without any proceeds, the DA said.

At 2:22 p.m. the next day, Pittman held up a cab on Willet Place in Roosevelt, officials said. As the driver reached into his pocket, Pittman “became impatient” and struck the driver in the left eye with the gun, the DA said. He reportedly made off with $200 in the robbery.

Pittman held up his final cab on Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. on W. Roosevelt Avenue in Roosevelt, officials said. The driver threw $20 at him, but Pittman demanded more cash and shot the driver, the DA said. The victim was released from the hospital the next day but the bullet still remains inside his body.

“Armed with a gun and determined to rob his victims regardless of the consequences, Mr. Pittman targeted four people unlucky enough to get in his way,” Acting DA Madeline Singas said in a statement Thursday. “As a result of his actions, all of his victims have been left with emotional scars, and three of his victims with physical scars that may never fully heal. With this guilty plea, we are ensuring that Mr. Pittman will no longer be a violent menace to our communities for some time to come.”

Pittman also pleaded guilty to an August 2013 shooting in Hempstead, officials said. After asking for change and marijuana, Pittman shot a man, who suffered kidney and lung injuries, the DA said. The victim survived but had to have surgery months later to remove the bullet, which was lodged near his spine, officials said.

Pittman is due back in court for sentencing on June 2.

Photo via NCPD

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