Crime & Safety

Ring Stole Cars from Queens Streets: DA Brown

Bronx Man, Six Others Convicted on Enterprise Corruption Charges

A 34-year-old Bronx man and four others have been convicted on enterprise corruption charges for operating a large-scale car theft ring that stole vehicles from the streets of Queens, the Queens district attorney said.

Pedro Puello, of 210 E. 166th St. in the Bronx, and four others whose names have not been released were convicted on charges of enterprise corruption, criminal possession of stolen property, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number and conspiracy, Queens DA Richard Brown said. Puello was the ring's leader, the DA said.

An additional six members of the ring have been convicted on similar charges.

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The auto theft ring nabbed cars all across the borough's streets. But the DA's office did not specify in which Queens neighborhoods the cars were stolen.

"Motor vehicle theft is the most expensive property crime in the United States," Brown said. "Here in Queens County, we have put the brakes on auto theft. We remain committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting such conduct."

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Puello's conviction follows a two-week bench trial that was presided over by Queens Supreme Court Justice Joel Blumenfeld. The defendant will be sentenced on Jan. 5.

He faces up to 25 years in prison, the DA said.

The auto ring stole a variety of types of vehicles, including Lincoln Town Cars, BMWs, Mercedes Benzes, Jeep Cherokees, Fords, Dodge vans and Chrysler Town Cars.

The automobiles were swiped from Queens as well as Atlantic City and other parts of New Jersey, the DA said. Dismantled parts from the vehicles were handed off to livery cab fleet owner Saleem Latif, who has previously pleaded guilty for his role in the ring.

Latif used the parts to operate a livery fleet of more than 200 Lincoln Town Cars.

Five of the ring's members gave their own vehicles to the ring and then falsely reported that the cars had been stolen to obtain insurance settlements, the DA said. The defendants have all pleaded guilty to their roles in the ring, Brown said.


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