Nay Thar, Interference with Commerce through Robbery, New York 2022

UTICA, NY – A brazen daylight robbery at the Zam Zam Restaurant on August 5, 2022, has landed 25-year-old Nay Thar of Utica facing a potential three-decade sentence. Thar pleaded guilty today to robbing the eatery at gunpoint, wielding an illegal, unregistered sawed-off shotgun to terrorize employees.

According to federal prosecutors, Thar stormed into the Zam Zam Restaurant brandishing the weapon and demanding cash. When a quick-thinking employee fled to the back of the establishment, Thar grabbed a charity donation box from the counter before making his escape in a vehicle. Luckily for investigators, New York State Parole officers were patrolling the area and immediately recognized the fleeing car.

A short pursuit ensued, ending with Thar’s apprehension by the Utica Police Department. A search of the vehicle revealed the ski-mask used during the robbery, the unregistered shotgun, and the stolen funds. The swift response from multiple agencies – including the ATF and New York State Police – ensured a rapid arrest and the recovery of key evidence.

Thar now faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for Interference with Commerce through Robbery, a charge brought under the Hobbs Act. But the charges don’t stop there. A mandatory consecutive ten-year sentence awaits him for the illegal possession and use of the unregistered sawed-off shotgun in connection with a violent federal crime, along with another potential $250,000 fine. Following any prison term, Thar could face up to five years of supervised release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick, with assistance from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). This initiative aims to unite law enforcement at all levels with local communities to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in 2021, prioritizing community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.

Sentencing for Nay Thar is scheduled for February 7, 2024, in Syracuse, New York. The final sentence will be determined by the judge, taking into consideration federal statutes, sentencing guidelines, and the specifics of the case. This case serves as a stark reminder that armed robbery will not be tolerated and that those who endanger the public with illegal weapons will face the full weight of the law.

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