Yonkers Woman Sentenced in Congers Looting Case

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that Paula Izurieta (12/02/80) of Yonkers, New York was sentenced to nine years in state prison following her conviction after a jury trial of:

•Two counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, class “C” felonies

On July 17, 2010, at approximately 10:30 pm, Izurieta and her boyfriend Ivan John Murat illegally entered the residence of Richard Serpico, located at 3 Chauncy Street, Congers, New York. Serpico was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 16, 2010 in the Town of Clarkstown.

Izurieta entered the residence through a basement window and unlocked the front door for Murat. The defendants were observed by a neighbor loading the victim’s property into a black Ford sedan owned by Izurieta. The looted items included towels, sheets, a computer, a Playstation, video games, wine and liquor.

On July 18, the defendants returned to the residence and stole more of the victim’s property. The duo was observed by a second neighbor who called a friend, who contacted the decedents’ brother-in-law.

Murat and Izurieta were preparing to leave with another carload of stolen electronics and personal property when Serpico’s brother-in-law arrived at the home and confronted them. The defendants were observed removing televisions from their storage units and were using laundry baskets as “shopping bags” to gather other small items throughout the victims’ residence. The relative held them at the home until police arrived.

A search of Murat’s vehicle by Clarkstown police officers revealed numerous items from Serpico’s home, including computers, component wiring, DVD’s, electronic games, clothing, alcohol, sunglasses, toiletries, sheets and towels.

A subsequent search of Murat’s residence also recovered numerous items stolen from the residence. Izurieta was living with Murat during this time period.

The defendant was convicted on April 5, 2011.

Izurieta was also sentenced today to five years post-release supervision on each count to run concurrent with the nine-year state prison sentence, and was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution for the items that were not recovered from Richard Serpico’s home.

Murat pled guilty to Burglary in the Second Degree and was sentenced to four years in state prison on December 1, 2010.