Schenectady man convicted of 2023 burglary

NISKAYUNA, NY (NEWS10) – Zai John Vanhoesen, 25, was convicted of a burglary on Nov. 22, the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office reported. Vanhoesen was found guilty of first-degree burglary, as well as attempted first- and second-degree robbery, after an eight-day jury trial.

The first indictment alleges that around 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 31, 2023, Vanhoesen and an associate broke into an apartment in Hillcrest Village in Niskayuna. While inside, he and his accomplice reportedly pointed a gun and struck one of the residents in the head while demanding money, only to realize they were occupying a different apartment than they intended, leading them to flee the scene.

The incident and the duo’s attempt to hide their identities with face masks were captured on security cameras, and Vanhoesen was eventually arrested. He had previously served time in prison for weapons offenses. shooting a woman in the leg in Albany in 2018.

Vanhoesen now faces up to 25 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. His sentencing is scheduled for January 31, 2025, in Schenectady County Court.