Queens man sentenced for violent armed robbery in Franklin Square, prosecutors say

A Jamaica, Queens, man will serve a 20-year prison sentence for his role in the violent robbery of a Franklin Square car dealership two years ago, Nassau prosecutors said Monday.

After jurors convicted Horatio Forrest, 31, of first- and second-degree robbery as well as third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in July, state Supreme Court Justice William O'Brien sentenced him Monday.

"This defendant committed a violent armed robbery against people just going about their day at work, and now he will pay the price by way of a very long prison sentence," said Acting Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas, in a statement. "I'm grateful to the jury for its quick verdict and thank the police and prosecutors who worked hard to bring this defendant to justice."

Forrest's attorney, John Healy of Garden City, could not be reached for comment. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Martin Meaney of the Major Offense Bureau.

Jurors learned during the trial on Sept. 13, 2013, that Forrest and co-defendant David Hosannah, 34, of Brooklyn, robbed three employees of Tri Star Motors at 790 Hempstead Tpke. at gunpoint, grabbing Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and cellphones in the heist, prosecutors said.

The suspects then drove away in a Range Rover that was spotted by police, who chased the vehicle through Elmont after the driver, co-defendant Rubens Petion, refused to pull over, officials said. Police eventually caught up with the vehicle and arrested the men.

Hosannah was convicted by a Nassau jury of the same charges as Forrest last month, and is due for sentencing on Jan. 11.

Petion is scheduled for trial next month.