Robert Forbes, Hobbs Act Robbery, New York 2020

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, two Rochester men have been arrested and charged for their roles in three home invasions in the City of Rochester. Robert Forbes, Jr., a/k/a Ra Ra, a/k/a Henny, 34, and Eric Lowe, 26, both of Rochester, are facing serious charges for their involvement in the heinous crimes.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who is handling the case, the defendants are facing charges for their roles in three home invasions that took place in January and March of 2020. The first home invasion occurred on January 7, 2020, at a residence on Glide Street in Rochester. The victim stated that when he returned home with his girlfriend, he found two individuals, one who was armed with a handgun, inside his residence wearing ski masks. The victim advised investigators that a large gold chain, which had a unique medallion of Jesus on it, approximately one ounce of marijuana, a PlayStation, Apple IPad, and $600.00 cash was taken during the home invasion.

The second home invasion took place on March 25, 2020, at a residence on Avenue E in Rochester. The victim indicated that two males forced their way into her residence with handguns and robbed her. The victim stated she was tied up with a bed sheet and the suspects kept asking her where the drugs and money were.

The third home invasion occurred on March 26, 2020, at a residence on Wellington Avenue in Rochester. One of the residents stated that the suspects began asking where the money and drugs were. One of the suspects held a knife to a female victim while the other pointed a gun at a male victim. The suspects eventually left the residence with a Gucci purse, which contained credit/debit cards and two Louis Vuitton wallets, a Sony PlayStation 4, two cell phones, a key fob for a Lexus parked in the driveway, and approximately $2,000.00 in cash.

Forbes’ vehicle was stopped by police on Upper Falls Boulevard, where a search of the vehicle located surgical masks in the glove box, a black ski mask in the front passenger door, and zip ties in the rear seat behind the rear center console, items commonly used in home invasions.

On April 1, 2020, Forbes fled from officers during a traffic stop and took them on a 13-minute high-speed chase, which ended when he crashed into a marked Rochester Police car on West Ridge Road. After being taken into custody, police found 10 waxine baggies of a powdery substance which field-tested positive for the presence of heroin.

Eric Lowe was arrested on March 27, 2020, and Robert Forbes was arrested on April 1, 2020. Both men made initial appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judges and were detained.

The charges against the defendants carry serious penalties, including up to 20 years in prison for the Hobbs Act robbery charges and up to life in prison for the firearms charges.

The investigation was conducted by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

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