Auto Theft Ring Bust Nets Three from Queens: DA Brown

Ten men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an auto theft ring that stole cars from Queens and Brooklyn dealerships, the Queens distric attorney said.  

Queens defendants netted in the bust include Ridgewood’s Luis Guzman as well as South Ozone Park’s Eduardo Rodriguez and Joshua Vasquez.  

Brooklyn residents arrested include Robinson Santiago, Jose Trinidad, Luis De Jesus, Curtis Outlaw, Frederick Akinsehin, Eddie Rodriguez and Nilo Blanco.  

An additional six men have been arrested and were scheduled to be arraigned late Thursday evening.  

Queens DA Richard Brown said the group stole vehicles from car dealerships in Queens and Brooklyn for resale.  

“Rampant car theft in Queens is a thing of the past and this case is a prime example of how we intend to keep it that way,” Brown said.  

The defendants were arraigned Thursday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Stephen Knopf on an 82-count indictment. Charges included grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, unauthorized use of a vehicle and conspiracy.  

Brown said the ring was busted following a joint investigation with the New York State Police that utilized undercover buy operations, physical surveillance and electronic surveillance and took place between December 2011 and February 2012.  

During that time, the defendants allegedly stole 11 vehicles from dealerships, including Jamaica’s Hillside Honda, Woodside’s Paragon Honda and Queensboro Toyota, Long Island City’s Major World and Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge Lexus.  

“The indictments of these 10 individuals has broken up an auto theft ring that had no boundaries,” state Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said. “Not only are these individuals accused of boldly stealing vehicles in broad daylight as they came off transport trucks, they are additionally charged with stealing a vehicle from an unsuspecting private individual.”