LI CRIME BRIEFS

WESTBURY/Man, 22, killed in Northern State crash

A 22-year-old Merrick man was killed when he lost control of his 2005 Jaguar on the Northern State Parkway in Westbury, police said.

Diego Restrepo was headed eastbound near Exit 31, Glen Cove Road, at about 6 a.m. Sunday when he lost control, veered onto the right shoulder and crashed into the guardrail, state police said. He was ejected from the car, police said.

Restrepo was pronounced dead at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola a short time later, police said.

- JOHN VALENTI

QUEENS/Man gets 8 years in rape case

A 25-year-old Glen Cove man who told authorities he was a 12-year-old girl's "boyfriend" was sentenced yesterday in Queens to 8 years in prison, following his conviction of first-degree rape.

"The defendant [Edward Robinson] was twice his victim's age when he took advantage of her and sexually exploited her," said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown Tuesday in a prepared statement.

"Claiming to be her 'boyfriend,' the jury rejected the notion, and convicted him for what he is: a child molester."

Robinson was convicted last month in Queens. Acting Supreme Court Justice John B. Latella Jr. determined the sentence.

"I hope that today's sentence brings comfort to his victim and her family in knowing that a dangerous predator has been removed from the streets and will no longer be a threat to her safety or to that of other children," Brown said.

- BILL MASON