Persistent, Violent Felony Offender Gets 14 Years to Life for Pelham Manor Home Invasion

On May 6, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that Bronx resident Rick Scocozza was sentenced to state prison for a 2019 home invasion in Pelham Manor.  

Scocozza, 58, a persistent violent felony offender, was sentenced on May 5, 2022, to 14 years to life in state prison after his plea of guilty to Attempted Burglary in the Second Degree, a felony.

On Aug. 22, 2019, at approximately 7:05 p.m., Scocozza, who was wearing camouflaged face paint, entered a Pelham Manor home through the garage and threatened two women who lived in the house with what appeared to be a firearm and demanded money from them. A third member of the household, who was hiding, then tackled the defendant to the ground and was able to subdue him until police arrived. 

Pelham Manor Police arrested Scocozza and recovered a BB gun that was used by the defendant during the crime, along with the backpack Scocozza was carrying when he entered the house, which contained zip-ties, duct tape and rope. 

The case was before Judge Barry Warhit in Westchester County Court, and was prosecuted by Acting Bureau Chief Jonathan Strongin.