A Brooklyn man alleged confessed to federal agents that he participated in last December’s robbery and shooting of New York Knicks player Cleanthony Early in Maspeth, Queens.
Delvon Dowling, 22, fessed up to his role in the ambush robbery that occurred on Dec. 30, 2015, in the vicinity of Tyler and Maurice avenues. He made his alleged confession after being arrested by federal authorities last Friday on an unrelated charge.
According to the criminal complaint, Dowling and three unidentified cohorts met up in Brooklyn and drove to the CityScapes gentlemen’s club on 58th Street with the intention of committing a robbery.
Early and a female companion left the club just before 4:30 a.m. inside an Uber cab, authorities said. The four suspects, riding in three vehicles, followed the cab to the corner of Tyler and Maurice avenues, where they surrounded it.
The crooks got out of their vehicles and then confronted Early inside his cab, demanding his jewelry and property. Dowling allegedly told investigators that he waited near one of the suspect’s cars while the robbery was in progress.
Although Early complied with their request, it was reported, one of the suspects shot him in the right kneecap. The perpetrators then fled the location.
Early was treated for his injuries at Elmhurst Hospital; he finally returned to action as a bench player for the Knicks last week. His companion was not injured.
Federal agents learned that the suspects shared the proceeds of the robbery upon returning to Brooklyn, including two cell phones stolen from Early that were sold to an undisclosed buyer for $40 a piece.
A day after the Dec. 30 robbery, CityScapes nightclub was hit with two Molotov cocktails in an unrelated incident. Police also shut down the club through a court order in March for a number of violations; CityScapes has since reopened.
