Brooklyn Man Found Guilty in Americana Armed Robbery

A Brooklyn man was found guilty Wednesday in his role in an armed robbery at a Manhasset jewelry store that took place just before 2 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2011. It was a heist where more than $800,000 in merchandise was stolen, said Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. 

Javon Gamble, 33, was convicted of three counts each of first and second degree robbery, and one count each of grand larceny in the second degree, criminal mischief in the second degree, and possession of burglar’s tools.

Now, he faces up to 25 years in prison when sentenced on April 19.

According to the DA, Gamble and three other masked men went into London Jewelers at the Americana Manhasset, armed with at least two handguns and a small sledgehammer. The men then forced customers and employees to the floor and smashed the glass display cases that stored Rolex watches. After stealing 37 watches, including several Breitling watches, they escaped nearly 90 seconds later, and jumped into a waiting Cadillac Escalade on Northern Boulevard.

Although officers from Nassau County’s Sixth Precinct quickly spotted the Escalade and tried to pull it over, the Escalade continued west, and crossed into oncoming traffic, smashing into a NCPD police cruiser, the Nassau DA’s office said.

It was on the westbound Long Island Expressway that the men four men exited their vehicle only to find that Lake Success Police had stopped all westbound traffic near exit 32, according to the Nassau DA. The men jumped the median, and ultimately entered the Lake Success Golf Club, and soon after, were arrested.

Michael Elbert, Gamble's defense attorney, told Newsday he would be filing an appeal.

"The police were guilty of misconduct in every aspect of this case," he told Newsday.

Ebert was able to get some of the earlier charges against Gamble dismissed, Newsday reported.  

Also awaiting trial are three Brooklyn men – Leroy Nelson, 28; Samuel Cephas, 32; and Reggie Fowler, 25.