Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 26-year-old Schenectady man who committed a number of crimes in Albany over a two-day span last September has been sentenced to state prison.

The Honorable Andra Ackerman sentenced Ernesto Cabrera to serve 15 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. Cabrera pleaded guilty in February 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 parked car on Clinton Avenue and removed several personal items from the vehicle before he was confronted by the owner, who then contacted police.

Later that evening, Cabrera entered a store on Allen Street, 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 16-year-old male 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.

The mother spoke before sentencing and described how she and her son were traumatized by the event.

“Although there were no lasting physical injuries, the emotional impact of this crime has been significant for both of us,” she told Judge Ackerman.

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