Ex-con charged with murdering CVS clerk in Christmas robbery
Suffolk County prosecutors have charged 43-year-old ex-convict John Pilaccio with first-degree murder and robbery in the Christmas Day killing of 23-year-old CVS clerk Edeedson (Eddy) Cine Jr. inside a Lindenhurst, New York store. Authorities say Pilaccio, who had a prior violent record including a tire-iron assault and was off parole, entered the East Montauk Highway CVS around 7 p.m., demanded money and repeatedly stabbed Cine in the chest and head before fleeing; Cine died shortly after at a hospital. District Attorney Ray Tierney used the arraignment to slam New York parole reforms, arguing that limits on re-incarcerating violators have made "our parole system a joke" and asking why parole exists if officers cannot return noncompliant offenders to prison. The county medical examiner ruled the death a homicide by sharp-force wounds, and Pilaccio allegedly told investigators he was heavily in credit card debt. Tierney also publicly warned CVS after complaining that surveillance footage was not turned over quickly enough, prompting the company to defend its cooperation and issue a statement mourning Cine as a hard‑working, valued employee whose loss is felt across the company.
📌 Key Facts
- Suspect: 43-year-old Lindenhurst resident and ex-con John Pilaccio charged with first-degree murder and robbery in Suffolk County Court.
- Victim: 23-year-old CVS clerk Edeedson (Eddy) Cine Jr. was fatally stabbed around 7 p.m. on Christmas Day 2025 at a Lindenhurst CVS.
- DA Ray Tierney criticized recent New York parole reforms that restrict re-incarceration for violations, calling the system "a joke" in light of Pilaccio’s violent history and parole discharge.
- Pilaccio allegedly told investigators he had about $25,000 in credit card debt and that robbery was the motive, taking items including a Gatorade.
- The Suffolk County Medical Examiner ruled Cine’s death a homicide by sharp-force wounds to the head and chest.
- Tierney faulted CVS for a delay in turning over full surveillance video, warning his office will seek search warrants if evidence is not produced promptly, while CVS said it shared initial footage the night of the killing and additional video the next morning.
📊 Relevant Data
The Less Is More Act, signed into law in New York in 2021, restricts incarceration for most technical parole violations, leading to a 38% decrease in the number of people locked up for parole violations from 2,332 in 2021 to 1,437 in 2024.
NY's parole-reform law -- backed by Mamdani -- allows 85% of ex-cons who commit new crimes to roam free — New York Post
In New York State in 2023, Black individuals were 8.5 times more likely to be incarcerated than White individuals, and Hispanic individuals were 2.8 times more likely.
Trends in the New York State Prison Population, 2008-2023 — Data Collaborative for Justice
From 1985 to 2021, 42% of criminal convictions in New York State involved Black people, who comprise 15% of the state's population, while 20% involved Hispanic people (14% of population) and 36% involved White people (56% of population).
Criminal Convictions in New York State, 1980-2021 — Data Collaborative for Justice
In Lindenhurst, New York, the population was 74.4% White, 17.8% Hispanic, and 3.9% Black in 2023, compared to 81.5% White, 14.1% Hispanic, and 2.8% Black in 2020, indicating a slight increase in diversity.
Lindenhurst Demographics | Current New York Census Data — New York Demographics
Nationally, 27% of people exiting prison in 2019 were reincarcerated within 3 years, down from 35% for those exiting in 2008, reflecting a trend of declining recidivism rates.
50 States, 1 Goal: Examining State-Level Recidivism Trends in the U.S. — Council on State Governments Justice Center
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