ADDITIONAL ARRESTS IN METROPOLITAN AREA AUTO THEFT

 AND INSURANCE FRAUD STING

SECOND PART OF A thirteen month investigation

TOTAL OF 11 ARRESTED – TWENTY-TWO vehicles RECOVERED

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced today 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 and the New York State Police, a total of 11 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, (DOB: 4/19/84) of 80 Wakefield Avenue, Yonkers, New York with  Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,

• Dina Hamil, (DOB: 4/12/84) of 100 Route 216 Poghquag, New York with Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,

• Irving Richiez,  (DOB: 8/18/75) of 75 West End Avenue, New York, New York with Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,

• Daniel Montes, (DOB: 1/21/82) of 192 Saratoga Avenue, 2nd Floor, Yonkers, New York Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony,

• Herman Benitez, (DOB: 11/20/75) of 140 Englewood Avenue, Teaneck, New Jersey with Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree a class “D” Felony.

Additionally,

• Jason Coleman (DOB 04/21/84) of 24 Caryl Avenue, Yonkers, New York is charged with six counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies.  He sold an undercover police officer 6 stolen vehicles.

Previously arrested and charged were:

• Milton Delacruz A/K/A Jose Pichardo (DOB 11/07/83) of 1055 Jerome Avenue, The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony and with four counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies

• Jean Ramirez (DOB 5/30/86) of 1530 Plimpton Avenue, The Bronx, New York with  one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony and four counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies

• Steven Gil (DOB 10/06/87) of 1380 University Avenue, The Bronx, New York with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony

• Julian Rosario A/K/A Platanito (DOB 11/25/85) of 1055 Jerome Avenue, The Bronx, New York with five counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies

• Raphy Polanco (DOB 4/21/88) of 1600 University Avenue, The Bronx, New York  with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, In the Third Degree, a class “D” Felony.

They are members of a Bronx car club called "The Black Knights.”

Their next court appearance will be on May 8th, 2008.

Those arrested and charged with Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree face a maximum of seven years in prison.

Coleman also faces a maximum of seven years in state 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.

In compliance with Disciplinary Rule 7-107A of the Code of

Professional Responsibility, you are advised that a charge is

merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed

innocent until and unless proven guilty.