STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Citing an inexplicable illness, a Staten Island man convicted of armed robbery refused to appear in court last week for a pre-sentencing conference.
Michael Mendez, 36, of Veterans Road West in Charleston, pleaded guilty in March to first-degree robbery in connection with a pair of knifepoint robberies two years ago in Eltingville.
He was due back in court Thursday. However, when the bus from Rikers Island arrived at the building, he wasn’t on it.
“I see he’s refusing to attend because he’s not doing well,” said Justice Mario F. Mattei, before turning to defense attorney Mark Fonte for answers.
Justice Mario F. Mattei said Thursday he would reach out to the Auburn Correctional Facility about Mendez’s refusal to appear in court. (Steve White for the Advance/SILive.com)
“I have no idea what that means,” said Fonte. “I don’t know if it’s a health issue … I don’t have any further information.”
Fonte went on to explain that state correctional facilities don’t allow for scheduled FaceTime calls, as is the case on Rikers Island. “I haven’t received any (telephone calls) from him.”
The missed court appearance was Mendez’s second in recent months.
“The last time he was supposed to be here he said he had a stomach problem,” said Mattei.
Fonte asked if the sides could approach the bench.
In this Sept. 14, 2023 photo, attorney Mark Fonte speaks during a hearing in state Supreme Court, St. George.
After a brief conference, Mattei concluded he would reach out to Auburn Correctional Facility upstate where Mendez already is serving a 16-year prison sentence for an armed robbery in Brooklyn.
“If a force order is necessary I’ll ask about that,” said Mattei, before adjourning the proceedings to Feb. 24.
‘Give me all your s—’
In the summer of 2024, the defendant allegedly threatened the lives of two robbery victims in a span of an hour.
In each incident, Mendez wielded a knife and snatched a gold chain from his victim. Both incidents occurred in broad daylight in Eltingville, and both victims told police Mendez was a stranger.
Prosecutors said it was an afternoon in June 2024 when Mendez threatened an 18-year-old man with a knife near Richmond and Wilson avenues in Eltingville, before snatching the man’s chain.(Google Maps)
It was around noon on June 2, 2024 when Mendez approached an 18-year-old man along the 3800 block of Richmond Avenue near Wilson Avenue, in the vicinity of an Italian market.
“Give me all your s—,” Mendez allegedly stated, before taking the man’s chain, along with his wallet and cash. “If you tell anyone about this, I’ll kill you and your whole family,” Mendez allegedly threatened.
Approximately 30 minutes later, on a residential block near Genesee and Pompey avenues, the defendant — who was listed in jail records at 5 feet, 9 inches and 200 pounds — approached a 36-year-old man.
Mendez, who had the knife clipped to his pants pocket, allegedly gestured toward it while demanding the victim’s belongings.
“Give me all your stuff or I’ll kill you,” Mendez allegedly stated, before taking the man’s chain.
Caught with stolen debit card: D.A. 
The defendant, according to prosecutors, was caught with a stolen debit card near Richmond Avenue and Arthur Kill Road, approximately 30 minutes after carrying out the second of two knifepoint robberies in Eltingville.(Google Maps)
Approximately 30 minutes after the second robbery, at about 1 p.m., Mendez was caught with a stolen debit card in the vicinity of Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Avenue, according to the complaint.
Authorities said that when Mendez, who had prior convictions, was questioned by police, he provided a false name and date of birth.