NYPD Catches Car Thieves After They Share Photos On Social Media
A major crime ring in the Bronx involved in car thefts and other illicit activities worth a staggering $3 million was apprehended after members flaunted their ill-gotten gains and stolen vehicles on social media. The audacious crew, consisting of Willie Baines, Josepher Cartagena, Brandon Collazo-Rivera, Justin Herrera, Douglas Noble, and Alexander Santiago, targeted car dealerships, cell phone stores, and ATM businesses during a period of increased grand larceny auto rates in New York City.
Last week, all six members pleaded guilty to over 200 thefts and were subsequently sentenced to prison. Throughout their criminal spree, they stole at least 54 vehicles, smashing car dealership windows at night and driving cars right through the shattered glass. They further taunted law enforcement by engaging in high-speed chases through residential neighborhoods, reminiscent of scenes from a “Fast & Furious” movie.
The 13-month investigation, codenamed “Operation Redline,” was led by the NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit and the AG’s Organized Crime Task Force. The name derived from the redlining of speedometers in the stolen cars as the criminals reached dangerously high speeds. The thieves would often flaunt their stolen money and cars on Instagram, which eventually helped link them to the crimes.
The crime spree extended to businesses in New York City, its northern suburbs, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. New York Attorney General Letitia James expressed her gratitude to the local law enforcement partners for their coordination and support in bringing down this dangerous crew. The successful investigation has made the communities safer by bringing these six individuals to justice.
The guilty parties, Cartagena (27), Collazo-Rivera (26), Noble (29), and Santiago (28), all pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, while Herrera (23) pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, and Baines (47) pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree burglary. The specific prison sentences were not disclosed by the prosecutors.
The surge in car thefts prompted the NYPD to bolster its auto crime division, particularly due to a TikTok trend encouraging teenagers to steal certain Kia and Hyundai models that don’t require key fobs.
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