Man Accused of Breaking into Home and Stealing $500

November 17, 2009

Lissette Tejeda's hands shook in Onondaga County Court this afternoon as she accused Eric Moore of breaking into her home, binding her with duct tape, and stealing $500.

Moore, along with two other men, entered her home through a basement window around 3 a.m., on August 19, 2008, Tejeda said. He sat on top of her as the two other men ransacked her room.

When Moore turned his head, the bandana tied around his face slipped, and she recognized him, Tejeda said. "Eric, why you doing this to me?" she asked. "My name isn't Eric, bitch. That's not my name." she said Moore responded.

Tejeda told the jury that Moore was a friend of her spouse, who was in prison last August for violating his parole. In the week leading up to the robbery, she said Moore asked her how long her spouse would be gone.

Before Tejeda testified, Moore told reporters outside the courtroom today, "I've got nothing to hide. I'll tell you whatever you want to hear after this is all over whether I'm at the Justice Center or on the street." No DNA or fingerprint evidence places him at the scene that night.

Eric Moore's brother, Charles Moore, pleaded guilty to the burglary last Thursday, but is not expected to testify for the prosecution. He will receive the minimum sentence of five years.

Tejeda said she recognized Charles Moore by the way he walked. Tejeda was unable to identify the third man.

Once her two daughters entered her bedroom that night, Tejeda said she told the men they could find $500 under the carpet in her closet. "I would've given them anything. I just wanted them out of my house."