Crime Watch

Brooklyn man found guilty in E.M. robbery

Motayne faces up to 25 years for crime that netted thieves more than $190K

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It only took the jury three hours to decide that Troy Motayne, a 35-year-old Brooklyn resident, was guilty on six separate charges. Now the man who allegedly took part in a robbery of approximately $194,000 at the Mobil on the Run gas station on Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow faces up to 25 years in prison. The sentencing for Motayne is scheduled for Aug. 18.

“We’re pleased that the jury was able to hold the defendant accountable for his crimes,” Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said. “Thanks to the excellent work by members of my office and the Nassau County Police Department, Mr. Motayne is facing a very long time behind bars.”

According to Rice, Motayne and his accomplice, Marvin Gay, broke into a truck at the East Meadow gas station just before noon on May 10, 2010. The owner of the truck was a courier collecting cash receipts for a management group that owns 17 gas stations. The East Meadow Mobil was the last stop on his route.

Motayne and Gay left the truck with the money and when the courier, who was in the store at the time of the robbery, attempted to pursue the men, Motayne pulled out what appeared to be a gun and threatened to shoot. The two robbers escaped in a Silver Cadillac driven by a third man, Ainsley Reynolds.

Motayne, Gay and Reynolds were all arrested in June 2010. Police were able to track down the men thanks in part to a partial license plate number taken down by an eye-witness. Reynolds pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to five years in prison on Feb. 7. Gay’s case is still pending.

As for Motayne, he faced charges of first-degree robbery, second-degree robbery, second-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, fourth-degree criminal mischief and false personation. About $42,000 of the stolen money has been recovered.

“We’re bitterly disappointed that the jury completely ignored what we felt was mounds of reasonable doubt and we think the real robber not only got away but also got paid as a tipster $1,000 by the Nassau County Police Department,” said Anthony Colleluori, the defense attorney for Motayne.

According to the defense, someone else is guilty of the crime.

“I think the district attorney did an outstanding job with what she had. She clearly communicated her case well to the jury and she should be congratulated, but I really think the wrong guy is in jail,” said Colleluori, who plans to file an appeal.