Rensselaer man sentenced to 13 years in prison for his guilty plea to robbery

TROY, N.Y. >> A26-year-old manwas recently sentenced to 13 years in State prison after pleading guilty to multiple robberies throughout Rensselaer County.

Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel E. Abelove recently announced that Charlie P. Hardt, 26, was sentenced to thirteen years in State prison followed by five years of post release supervision for his guilty plea to two counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, both class C felonies and one count of Robbery in the Third Degree, a class D felony.

Officials said Hardt plead guilty on September 20, 2018, to the charges stemming from three robberies which occurred back in February of this year.

Authorities said on February 3, 2018, the defendant forcibly stole merchandise with the use of what appeared to be a handgun, from Don Cook Jewelry, located at 1 Agway Drive, in the Town of North Greenbush.

Following the robbery, he broke into a nearby home and stole a getaway car, by again brandishing what appeared to be a weapon. A week later, on February 9, 2018, the defendant forcibly robbed the SEFCUlocated at 256 Hoosick Street, in the City of Troy. Hardt was later apprehended by members of both the North Greenbush Police Department and the Troy Police Department.

As a result of his plea, officials said he will also be required to pay $22,000.00 in restitution.

Abelove said in a news release, “Violent felons have no place on our streets. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured during these robberies. I commend the efforts of the North Greenbush and Troy Police Departments for their hard work on this case. Mr. Hardt is headed to prison for a long time.”

Assistant District Attorney Cheryl A. McDermott prosecuted the case.