Ex-Cop Convicted Of Stealing Pants In Bushwick Robbery

BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN -- A Brooklyn jury convicted a former police officer of pistol-whipping a man outside a Bushwick nightclub and robbing him of his jewelry, cash and pants, prosecutors announced.

Anthony Delacruz, 35, was found guilty of the assault and robbery for the gunpoint caper that left a bruised man without his pants outside El Mekkah Bar and Grill on Wyckoff Avenue near Grove Street in May 2016, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

Delacruz, formerly of Greenpoint's 94th Precinct, was convicted of robbery, assault, menacing, falsely reporting an incident, and the improper display of number plates in Brooklyn Criminal Court Wednesday.

The ex-cop, who was fired by the NYPD after the verdict, could face up to 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 29, prosecutors said.

Charges stemmed from events on the morning of May 28, when Delacruz was captured on video pointing his gun at a man hiding behind a car whom he leads away out of camera's view, said prosecutors.

Delacruz is next seen with another man carrying clothing and sneakers, then the victim reappears wearing only a t-shirt and boxer shorts, said prosecutors.

When police arrived, Delacruz initially claimed that he had shot at a group of people who stole his gold chain, Rolex watch and gold ring, then fired two shots at him, prosecutors said.

The off-duty officer then pointed out a group of club goers — all of whom were taken into police custody — and claimed they had contributed to the robbery, said prosecutors.

Surveillance footage later proved their innocence, prosecutors said.

Delacruz was taken to an area hospital where he was questioned by police, prosecutors said.

When NYPD personnel realized he had not been forthcoming about certain details, and had gone out with his service gun but not his shield, they decided to investigate.

Delacruz later identified his victim as one of his alleged robbers, but charges brought against the man were soon dismissed, prosecutors said.