A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for breaking into a home in Marine Park in 2018 with two other people, duct-taping the elderly residents and assaulting them.
“This defendant violated the sanctity of this couple’s home and subjected them to unconscionable violence," Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. "With today’s lengthy sentence, he has now been brought to justice and the victims will be spared the anguish of a trial.”
The District Attorney identified the defendant as Tyrique Rushing, 25. The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal sexual act and first-degree burglary on April 24, 2023. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 15 years of post-release supervision. He must register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.
His co-defendants, Lance Jyrkenin, 25, and Shirnel Sobers, 30, previously pleaded guilty. Jyrkenin pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary and second-degree burglary on December 11, 2019, and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Sobers pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary on September 12, 2022, and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
According to the investigation, on September 24, 2018, at approximately 11:30pm, the defendants Jyrkenin and Sobers broke into the Marine Park home of a 72-year-old retired police lieutenant and his 71-year-old wife and stole cash and the victims’ Honda Civic. The vehicle was later found abandoned in lower Manhattan.
Furthermore, on October 8, 2018, at approximately 4:00am, the defendants Jyrkenin and Sobers, along with defendant Rushing broke into the same home and tied up both victims, who were in separate bedrooms, using duct tape. Rushing forced the woman to perform a sex act and her husband was slashed on his head and face. The defendants stole cash, a set of speakers, a Bank of America card and the Honda Civic.
The 72-year-old victim was treated for lacerations to his head and face and received 40 stitches. His wife was treated for bruising on her hands and wrists from the duct tape and underwent a sexual assault evidence collection kit.
Jyrkinen and Sobers were arrested on October 8, 2018, at approximately 10:00pm, outside of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel inside of the victims’ Honda Civic. Rushing was arrested in Joplin, Missouri on October 18, 2018.
