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 White Plains, NY - Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that after an investigation conducted by the Westchester County District Attorneys Auto Crimes Unit with assistance from the Westchester County Police, New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, and Yonkers Police, a total of 10 individuals have been charged in connection with an auto theft ring stealing vehicles in New York City, transporting them to Westchester County for sale and insurance fraud.
The thirteen month undercover operation resulted in the recovery of 18 stolen vehicles and 4 cars involved in individual insurance frauds. Two of the defendants are public servants, one a New York City Department of Correction Officer and the other an employee of MTA New York City Transit
Funds for the “purchase” of the vehicles by the undercover officers were supplied by the NICB (the National Insurance Crime Bureau), Nationwide Insurance, and Auto One Insurance.
Charged are:
Mohammed Makhalouf, 24, of Yonkers, New York with Insurance Fraud,
Dina Hamil, 24, of Poghquag, New York with Insurance Fraud,
Irving Richiez, 32, of New York, New York with Insurance Fraud,
Daniel Montes, 26, of Yonkers, New York Insurance Fraud,
Herman Benitez, 32, of Teaneck, New Jersey with Insurance Fraud.
Previously arrested and charged were:
Milton Delacruz A/K/A Jose Pichardo, 24, of The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Second Degree, and with four counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree,
Jean Ramirez, 21, of The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, and four counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree,
Steven Gil, 20, of The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Second Degree,
Julian Rosario A/K/A Platanito, 22, of The Bronx, New York with five counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree,
Raphy Polanco, 20, of The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree.
They are members of a Bronx car club called "The Black Knights.”
Those arrested and charged with Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree face a maximum of seven years in prison.
Assistant District Attorney, Steven Vandervelden, Chief of the Organized Crime and Criminal Enterprise Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Joseph DiBenedetto, Deputy Chief of the Auto Crimes Unit, will prosecute the cases.
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