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An Albany man, Brian Briggs, 33, was sentenced to 24 years in state prison for robbing a maintenance worker at gunpoint last May. The incident occurred on May 12, 2025, inside a public housing building on Central Avenue. Briggs was found guilty in February of first-degree robbery and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The robbery unfolded when Briggs, during an argument with his mother, was approached by a maintenance worker attempting to defuse the situation. Briggs then pulled a loaded handgun on the worker, demanding he empty his pockets. He stole the worker’s phone, keys, and lanyard. Shortly after the robbery, Albany police apprehended Briggs nearby.
Before sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Joseph Brucato emphasized the severity of the crime and Briggs' previous conviction for second-degree robbery in 2014. "We’re lucky that this incident didn’t turn into a homicide," Brucato said, highlighting the victim's calm response during the encounter.
Briggs, who represented himself at trial, argued entrapment, blaming his actions on a prior arrest that same day. However, Judge Thomas Marcelle dismissed this defense, citing Briggs' history of aggressive behavior. "The interaction prior to the robbery was very scary," Marcelle said. "And the victim tried to calm you down. He showed kindness, almost supernatural peace."
Briggs will serve five years of post-release supervision following his prison term. His sentence reflects a commitment to community safety, as Judge Marcelle noted the need for a longer sentence to prevent future incidents.