Release # 58-2017
www.queensda.org
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
twitter@QueensDABrown
QUEENS COUNTY
125-01 QUEENS BOULEVARD
KEW GARDENS, NEW YORK 11415-1568
718-286-6000
RICHARD A. BROWN
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2017
CONTACT: QDA PRESS OFFICE
(718) 286-6315
CITY-WIDE AUTOMOBILE AND MOTORCYCLE THEFT RING BUSTED
AFTER LONG-TERM WIRETAP INVESTIGATION
Defendants Allegedly Linked to $500,000 Worth of Stolen Cars,
Motorcycles, Auto Parts And Forged Inspection Stickers;
Eleven Individuals Charged With Grand Larceny And Other Charges
Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced that a Queens County grand jury
has returned a series of indictments charging 11 individuals from Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and
Staten Island for their alleged roles in an automobile and motorcycle theft ring and a single defendant
accused of selling bogus inspection stickers that operated in Queens County and elsewhere between
August 2015 and December 2016. All 11 defendants are currently in custody. (See Addendum for
details on each of the defendants).
District Attorney Brown said, “The indictments are the result of a 16-month-long joint
investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Auto Crime Division and my Organized Crime
and Rackets Bureau. The defendants charged in this case are alleged to have worked together and
separately dealing in stolen automobiles, motorcycles and car parts. One particular defendant also
allegedly used social media to sell bogus 2017 New York State motor vehicle inspection stickers.”
The District Attorney continued, “In Queens County auto theft has long been a benchmark in
measuring my office’s effectiveness in combating crime. I have devoted significant resources to ferreting
out criminal organizations that profit from the illicit trafficking of stolen autos, auto parts and insurance
fraud – and with great success. As a result, we have seen a dramatic drop in auto thefts from a high of
more than 50,000 cars being stolen annually in 1991 to less than 2,000 last year. As such, we remain
committed to aggressively investigating and prosecuting such conduct. Those who make the mistake of
setting up shop in Queens County face serious felony charges and prison sentences.”
The defendants were arraigned yesterday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard L.
Buchter on seven indictments variously charging the 11 individuals with grand larceny, criminal
possession of stolen property, conspiracy and other charges.
District Attorney Brown said the investigation leading to the arrests and seven indictments began
in Queens with NYPD Auto Crime Division Detective Dana Davis investigating an Instagram page that
included photographs of car rims and inspection stickers for sale. The NYPD contacted Instagram account
holder, Abad Rios, who had listed his phone number on the page. The communication allegedly
commenced an undercover operation in which Rios allegedly sold forged New York State inspection
stickers to an undercover detective on several occasions. These transactions then progressed into Rios
(MORE)
-2and co-defendant Kuldeep Sethi allegedly collaborating to sell stolen automobiles and motorcycles to
undercover detectives.
District Attorney Brown added that the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division and his Organized Crime
and Rackets Bureau obtained a court-authorized wiretap, which helped unveil the inner-workings of this
alleged theft ring, which stole vehicles from Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and New Jersey.
According to the indictments, the District Attorney continued, the alleged culprits stole
approximately 45 cars and 16 motorcycles worth a combined estimated total of $500,000. Unbeknownst
to the defendants they allegedly sold roughly 14 of the cars and six of the motorcycles to undercover
investigators. Police allegedly recovered 28 autos and bikes worth about $270,000. Defendant Rios
allegedly sold an estimated 13 forged New York State inspection stickers to undercover detectives.
The investigation was conducted by the New York City Police Department’s Auto Crime
Division, specifically Detectives Christopher DeFeo and John Lamatina, under the direct supervision of
Sergeant Scott Barcia, and the overall supervision of Lieutenant Christopher Willis and Captain Robert
Lapollo. The Queens District Attorney’s Office also acknowledged the contributions made by the New
York State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Assistant District Attorney Myongjae M. Yi, of the District Attorney’s Organized Crime and
Rackets Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Gerard A.
Brave, Bureau Chief, Catherine C. Kane and Mary M. Lowenburg, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and the overall
supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Peter A. Crusco.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed
innocent until proven guilty.
ADDENDUM
ERIC “EBAY” VILLANUEVA, 30, of East Third Street in Manhattan, is charged with third- and fourthdegree grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree
unauthorized use of a vehicle, fifth-degree conspiracy, petit larceny, fourth-degree criminal mischief and
third-degree auto stripping. At his arraignment, bail was set at $20,000 and the defendant was ordered
to return to court on April 28, 2017. The defense attorney is Scott Davis. If convicted, he faces up to
seven years in prison.
JOSHUA “J-ROZ” PAULICELLI, 30, of 25th Avenue in Brooklyn, is charged with third- and fourthdegree grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree
unauthorized use of a vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. At his arraignment, bail was set at $30,000 and
the defendant was ordered to return to court on April 28, 2017. The defense attorney is Michael Schwed.
If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
KULDEEP “CODY” SETHI, 20, of Bodine Street in Staten Island, is charged with third- and fourthdegree grand larceny, third- and fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, thirddegree unauthorized use of a vehicle, fifth-degree conspiracy, illegal possession of a vehicle
identification number, third-degree auto stripping and fourth-degree criminal mischief. At his
arraignment, bail was set at $35,000 and the defendant was ordered to return to court on April 28, 2017.
The defense attorney is Jae Lee. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
(MORE)
-3SAMAR “SAMMY” PREET, 26, of 78th Street in Queens, is charged with third- and fourth-degree grand
larceny, third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized
use of vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. At his arraignment, bail was set at $30,000 and the defendant
was ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is Phillip Middler. If convicted, he
faces up to seven years in prison.
JOBDANIEL “J-SPEC” NUNEZ, 31, of Bath Avenue in Brooklyn, is charged with third- and fourthdegree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, fourth-degree
criminal mischief, third-degree auto stripping, fifth-degree conspiracy. The defendant was released on
his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is David
Zucker. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
ABAD “TITO” RIOS, 25, of 23rd Street in Brooklyn, is charged with second-degree criminal possession
of a forged instrument, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree
unauthorized use of a vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. At his arraignment, bail was set at $25,000 and
the defendant was ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is Todd Greenberg.
If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
SEAN “TWIN” RAMOS, 25, of Franklin Street in Staten Island, is charged with third- and fourth-degree
grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized
use of a vehicle, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number and fifth-degree conspiracy. At his
arraignment, bail was set at $5,000 and the defendant was ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017.
The defense attorney is Richard Spivack. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
LUIS “SERGIO” ROSA, 28, of Grove Avenue in Staten Island, is charged with third- and fourth-degree
grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized
use of a vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and
ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is Andrew Worgan. If convicted, he
faces up to seven years in prison.
WILVIN “MARIA” ESPINAL, 26, of Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn, is charged with petit larceny,
fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree
auto stripping. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on
May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is Laurie Golombek. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.
FELIX “SOUTHSIDE FELIX” DEJESUS, 22, of South Third Street in Brooklyn, is charged with
third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen
property, third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. The defendant was
released on his own recognizance and ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense
attorney is Judah Maltz. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
PIERCE O’CONNOR, 22, of 78th Street in Queens, is charged with third- and fourth-degree grand
larceny, third- and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, third-degree unauthorized use
of a vehicle and fifth-degree conspiracy. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and
ordered to return to court on May 31, 2017. The defense attorney is Michael Hartofilis. If convicted,
he faces up to seven years in prison.
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Note to Editors: Press release e-version posted at www.queensda.org