3 Men Charged After Stealing Catalytic Converters In Suffolk: DA
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Three men have been arrested and charged for stealing catalytic converters from personal vehicles around Suffolk County, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced Friday. Jose Deleon, 37, of Brooklyn, Oliver Morocho, 21, of Queens, and Albert Espinal, 23, of Queens, were arrested and arraigned for second-degree criminal mischief and other related charges for stealing catalytic converters from personal vehicles in front of their owners’ homes in Centereach, Wyandanch, Central Islip, Brentwood, Bayshore, and West Babylon when they drove from Brooklyn into Suffolk County to commit the crimes, the DA said. According to the investigation, on the morning of Sept. 3, 2024, Sept. 25, 2024, and Oct.2, 2024, the trio drove across county lines to steal catalytic converters from vehicles parked in the driveways of 13 separate homes in Suffolk County, the DA said. Their thefts were captured on the homeowners’ surveillance cameras which helped police ID the men.The DA said Morocho was the driver and would stay in their car while Espinal jacked up the victim’s cars Deleon crawled underneath with a portable reciprocating saw to cut out the catalytic converters from their undercarriages. When a search warrant was executed at Deleon and Morocho’s residences, police seized tools, cash, and other evidence of the thefts, the DA said. "Catalytic converter thefts continue to be a nationwide issue, and we remain committed in Suffolk County to working with law enforcement to crack down on these crimes and to prosecuting those responsible to the fullest extent of the law," said Tierney. "I remind those that would seek to steal catalytic converters in Suffolk County, we are vigilant and persistent and will hold you accountable for your actions. I want to thank all our partners in the Suffolk County Police Department, the US Marshals Service, the Nassau County Police Department and the New York City Police Department who collaborated in this investigation."On Oct. 17, Deleon, was arraigned before District Court Judge Evan Zuckerman and charged with two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; three counts of third-degree criminal mischief, a Class E felony; three counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, a Class E felony; and three counts of third-degree auto stripping, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said. Zuckerman ordered Deleon held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partiallysecured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. He is due back in court on Oct. 21, 2024,and is being represented by Chase Brown.Morocho was also arraigned on Oct. 17 following his arrest before Judge Zuckerman for two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony;11 counts of third-degree criminal mischief, a Class E felony; 12 counts of third-degree auto stripping, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said. Zuckerman ordered Morocho held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case, the DA said. He is due back in court on Oct. 21 and is being represented by Joseph Hanshe.On Oct. 7, Espinal, was arraigned Zuckerman for one count of second-degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; 11 counts of third-degree criminal mischief; a Class E felony; five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny; a Class E felony; 12 counts of third-degree auto stripping, a Class A misdemeanor; and one count of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said. Zuckerman ordered Espinal be placed on supervised release with a GPS monitor during thependency of the case, the DA said. He is due back in court on Oct, 21, and is being represented by Eric Besso.The article 3 Men Charged After Stealing Catalytic Converters In Suffolk: DA appeared first on Brentwood-Central Islip, NY Patch.
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