Mocobizscene- The NYPD is currently on the lookout for seven individuals who are believed to be part of a highly organized cellphone crime operation, reportedly led by migrants, in New York City.
The mastermind behind the 14-member operation, which involves hacking into stolen phones to drain victims’ bank accounts, has been identified as 30-year-old Victor Parra, according to the police. Investigation authorities are facing a unique challenge in the case as all seven suspects arrested so far are migrants from Venezuela.
Cleyber Andrade, a 20-year-old individual, was arraigned on Tuesday evening and is currently being held on bail set at $10,000. He is facing six counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and six counts of criminal possession of stolen property. Juane Uzcatgui, a 23-year-old, is currently being held without bail due to the nature of the charges against him. Specifically, he is facing two counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree and two counts of stolen property.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, they are seeking supervised release at the highest tier and level for Uzcatgui. They mentioned that while they would have requested bail, the defendant is not eligible for bail based on the current statutory framework.
The other suspects are set to appear in Bronx Criminal Court on Tuesday, where they will face multiple charges including grand larceny, tampering with evidence, and criminal possession of stolen property.
According to the police, a series of 62 phone thefts occurred, in which individuals riding scooters and mopeds targeted women on the street and in the subway system, snatching their purses and phones directly from their hands.
According to the police, the victims would be brought to the home of the alleged crew leader, where a “tech guy” would hack their phones in order to gain unauthorized access to their banking apps for making fraudulent purchases in the United States and Central America.
According to officials, the suspects managed to withdraw hundreds of thousands of dollars from the victims’ bank accounts. The phones were subsequently sent to Colombia, where they were reportedly completely wiped clean.
According to police, Parra, who is currently being sought, operated a criminal enterprise involving migrants primarily residing in the city’s system from his apartment. Parra, who arrived in the country from Venezuela last year, had previously appeared before a judge in December on a grand larceny charge.
According to Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny, the organized theft crew utilizes social media platforms as a means to plan and synchronize their criminal activities. The leader of the crew, identified as Victor Parra, employs WhatsApp to send out messages indicating his need for mobile phones.
According to authorities, a scooter operator could earn $100, while a phone snatcher could make anywhere from $300 to $600. During a search on Monday, the police were able to recover 22 stolen phones, as well as the victim’s identification, from Parra’s home.
The string of thefts began in November 2023, originating from the Upper East Side and continuing until the most recent incident in Chinatown on Sunday night. These thefts have taken place in every borough, excluding Staten Island, with a significant majority, approximately 56%, occurring in Manhattan.
During a recent visit to Albany, Mayor Eric Adams was posed with a question regarding the possibility of issuing an executive order to eliminate the restrictions that hinder the collaboration between the NYPD and ICE.
According to Adams, individuals who commit repeated felonies in our city should be deported by the federal government. He believes that there is a privilege in being here and participating in the American Dream. However, he clarifies that he does not have the authority to deport someone, as that responsibility lies with the City Council.
The news has arrived as a significant development. After imprisoning only one of the several migrants suspected of assaulting two police officers in Times Square, the authorities decided to release four others without requiring them to post bail.
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