Man Accused of Robbery & Extortion Attempts Gets 15-year Sentence

A 23-year-old Queens man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempts to extort from and rob a Bedford husband and wife, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Bartek Zajkowski is a 23-year-old Polish citizen and was living in the country illegally, according to the announcement, and had worked as a contractor for the family in 2010 at their Bedford Hills home.

Zajkowski has admitted wrongdoing and is remorseful, according to The Journal News'report about his sentencing.

Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney, said in his office's press release: “Bartek Zajkowski became one family’s nightmare of terror and violence. Now, thankfully, the nightmare is over, and we hope his victims can breathe easier. Mr. Zajkowski will be locked up for a long time. The conclusion of this case is a tribute to the cooperative and devoted efforts of law enforcement at every level.”

Zajkowski, according to Bharara's office, went to the home on May 5, 2012 with a gun and dressed in black. He was accused, after meeting the husband, of binding him using plastic ties and duct tape and wanted to know the location of valuables and money. The husband subsequently told Zajkowski about gold, silver and expensive paintings in the house, according to Bharara's office. Zajkowski was then accused of struggling with the wife, shooting her in her stomach by using a BB gun, binding her and seeking direction for the paintings. When he went to look, Bharara's office stated, the wife freed herself and was then able to trigger the alarm for the house. Zajkowski escaped with the husband's wallet, Bharara's office stated, but had no other property.

Zajkowski was accused of setting the family's nearby barn on fire two days later, and of sending two extortion letters later that month. The letters, Bharara's office stated, demanded $3 million, or $1 million per family child, for their safety. Zajkowski was accused in the correspondence of threatening harm to children, along with mentioning the struggle with the wife and in claiming responsibility for the fire. He also demanded that the money be deposited in a Netherlands bank account, stated Bharara's office.

Zajkowski was subsequently arrested on June 1, 2012, in connection with an alleged home invasion in Ridgefield, CT, Bharara's office stated. The charges related to Ridgefield are pending. His charges connected to Bedford were announced in September 2012.

The sentence was done in White Plains, according to Bharara's announcement.