Three Long Islanders charged in carjacking, robbery scheme, prosecutors say

Six men, including three from Long Island, participated in a "sprawling and violent carjacking and robbery scheme" last summer, according to an 11-count indictment unsealed in Brooklyn federal court on Thursday.

Three of the men stole a large sum of money during an armed home invasion robbery in North Amityville last year, the court papers said. Two of the defendants allegedly pistol-whipped a victim who had stopped at a red light in Queens, before stealing his luxury vehicle. A day later, one of those men shot another victim twice in the leg, according to the court papers.

"The defendants engaged in a sprawling and violent carjacking and robbery scheme, among other crimes, which involved stealing numerous luxury vehicles, cash, and other possessions from several victims," said Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, in a statement. The alleged violent crime spree took place between July 12 and Aug. 2.

The defendants include Jose Ramos, 21, of Bay Shore, Savion Jones, 22, of Huntington Station, and Justin Kenny, 24, of West Babylon. Jones and Kenny participated in the Aug. 2 home invasion, the court papers said.

The defendants also include three Brooklyn men: Leny Cruz, 23, Brandon Corona, 23, and Eddie Nunez, 28.

Cruz allegedly also participated in the Aug. 2 armed home invasion.

Corona and Nunez pistol-whipped the driver of the BMW stopped at a red light on Prince Street in Flushing on July 18, the court filings said. Corona then allegedly shot a victim twice in the leg on Blake Street in Brooklyn.

The indictment charged the defendants with carjacking, attempted carjacking, Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy and other crimes. Nunez was arrested in Mount Vernon in Westchester County on Wednesday and was arraigned on Thursday in Brooklyn before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon, who ordered him held without bail.

The other defendants are in state custody in New York City and Suffolk County, and will be arraigned at a later date.

Michael Schneider of the Federal Defenders, who represented Nunez at his arraignment, declined to comment. Attorney information was not immediately available for the other defendants.