Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 25-year-old Schenectady man has admitted to committing a number of crimes over a two-day span last September.

Ernesto Cabrera pleaded guilty in front of the Honorable Andra Ackerman Tuesday to two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Menacing in the Second Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Petit Larceny.

On the morning of Sept. 12, 2025, Cabrera broke into a car parked on Clinton Avenue and removed several personal items from the vehicle when he was confronted by the owner, who contacted police.

Later that evening, Cabrera entered the Allen Street Mini-Mart, demanded money from the clerk and threatened to shoot and stab him, reaching into his pocket to imply he possessed a weapon. The clerk refused and called police as Cabrera left the store.

On the morning of Sept. 13, 2025, Cabrera approached a man near Washington Park, displayed a knife and stole the victim’s phone. Cabrera proceeded to a farmer’s market in the park, where he approached a jewelry booth, displayed a knife and stole more than $600 worth of necklaces and rings.

Cabrera then walked up to a 6-year-old boy, pressed the knife against his back and instructed him to give his mother a piece of the stolen jewelry. Cabrera continued to wave the knife at both victims until Albany Police arrived and arrested him.

Cabrera was remanded to the custody of the Albany County Correctional Facility until his sentencing on April 20. He will face a state prison term of no less than eight years up to 15 years along with five years of post-release supervision.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Lydon of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.