Final member of burglary crew found guilty of murdering NYPD Detective

The final member of a violent burglary crew that killed NYPD Det. Peter Figoski during a botched burglary of a Brooklyn drug den in 2011 was found guilty of felony murder today and will face 25 years to life behind bars when he’s sentenced June 20.

Kevin Santos, 32, didn’t react as the Brooklyn Supreme Court jury read the guilty verdict.

The slain cop’s mother clasped her hand to her mouth as she and the two eldest of his four daughters heard the verdict.

“The family is ecstatic. We feel that we’ve gotten justice and a tremendous weight is off all of us. I think my brother can now rest,” said Robert Figoski, the murdered cop’s brother.

“While the trials are over, the pain and suffering of the Figoski family will continue for a lifetime,” said police union president Pat Lynch.

Figoski partner Det. Glenn Estrada was also in court to see the sentence. Estrada grappled with Santos before chasing down shooter Lamont Pride.

“We’re disappointed in the verdict and we plan to appeal,” said defense attorney Harold Baker.

The ringleader of the crew, Nelson Morales, 28, was convicted last Friday of felony murder. He rounded up the five-man burglary team that broke into the home of an East New York drug dealer in 2011.

Pride was convicted earlier this year of murdering Figoski while trying to escape the botched burglary.

Accused getaway driver Michael Velez was acquitted earlier this year, while thug-turned-snitch Ariel Tejada testified against his former pals in exchange for a plea deal.

During the trial Baker said Santos was only riding along with the burglars because he wanted to buy and mooch marijuana.

“Kevin Santos is a pothead, and he might not be too swift, but he’s always thinking about how he can get high,” Baker said.

Assistant district attorney Howard Jackson gave homicide division chief Ken Taub a congratulatory slap on the back after the guilty verdict was announced. When the prosecutors walked out into the courthouse hallway, the gathered cops gave them a big round of applause.

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Source: nypost.com “Final member of burglary crew found guilty of murdering NYPD Detective,” May 31, 2013.

Tags: Burglary, crew, Criminal Law, Kevin Santos, killed NYPD Detective