Say R’Wood Man Had Home Chop Shop
A Ridgewood man who allegedly operated a motorcycle chop shop in the basement of his home was arraigned last Wednesday night, May 9, on auto stripping and other charges, law enforcement sources said.
Philip Dietrich, 43, of Putnam Avenue was booked in Queens Criminal Court last Wednesday on charges of first-degree auto stripping, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number (VIN) and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
According to Queens District Attorney
Richard A. Brown, Dietrich was arraigned after police, in executing a search warrant at his home on Apr. 25, found in his cellar stripped motorcycles which had previously been reported stolen, as well as assorted parts and tools.
“Auto theft and related crimes are at historic lows and we must be vigilant in keeping them from rising. At least six of the motorcycles allegedly found in [Dietrich’s] basement had been reported stolen, leaving the rightful owners deprived of their property,” Brown said in a statement.
Members of the NYPD Auto Crimes Division raided Dietrich’s home on Putnam Avenue near Fresh Pond Road at 7:30 p.m. on Apr. 25, pursuant to a court-authorized search. Six frames of motorcycles which had been reported stolen between 2007 and 2010 were recovered by police from the basement.
Additionally, law enforcement agents also found seven motorcycle which had defaced VINs and hundreds of motorcycle parts such as rims, gas tanks, forks, fenders and mirrors. Dismantling tools were also recovered by authorities from the location, prosecutors said.
During their search, it was noted, police also recovered 15 methadone pills from Friedrich’s residence.
Following further investigation, Friedrich was taken into custody last Tuesday, May 8, and arraigned the following evening before Judge Michael Yavinsky. The suspect was released on $1,000 bail and is scheduled to return to court on June 13; if convicted, he faces up to seven years behind bars.
Det. Scott Miller and Sgt. Peter Hsieh of the NYPD Auto Crimes Division conducted the investigation under the direction of Lt. Christopher Gately, Capt. Michael Vanchieri and Deputy Inspector Joseph Kenny.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Maloney of the D.A.’s Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau, under the supervision by Assistant District Attorneys Mary M. Lowenburg, chief of the Auto Crime and Insurance Fraud Unit; Gerard A. Brave, bureau chief, and Mark L. Katz, deputy bureau chief.
