Nine men from across New York were charged Wednesday for carrying out a series of luxury motorcycle heists and getting rid of the evidence by shipping the choppers to the Dominican Republic, authorities said.
The self-proclaimed “Steal Crew” allegedly canvassed the city for high-end bikes, such as Ducatis, and then broke the steering wheels and shoved the motorcycles into getaway trucks, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.
The group allegedly attempted to steal some 32 bikes and a Dodge Charger, the AG said. It was not clear how many they successfully swiped, though the damage is estimated at $100,000.
Juana Galarza, Pablo Nunez, Brandon Williams, Luis Vargas, Carlos Valverde, Jean Herrera, Christian Perez, Richard Lovell, and Steven Reese were hit with various Criminal Possession of Stolen Property Charges, as well as Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree.
“Dangerous criminal enterprise networks threaten to bring violence into our communities,” AG Schneiderman said in a statement. “Whether you are stealing luxury goods or dealing drugs, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. My office will not allow New York to become a hotbed for international crime.”
“Steal Crew” ringleaders Juan Galarza, and two other men, Jeremey Collazo and Jhon Vasquez Ramos, were also charged with heroin trafficking.
The 11 men were awaiting arraignment at Bronx Supreme Court Wednesday.
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