HOWARD BEACH — A 35-year-old Howard Beach man was arrested and arraigned May 2 on charges of selling stolen vehicles to a Long Island scrap yard for up to $750 apiece, the DA said.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said John Brew, 35, of Howard Beach, delivered one dozen stolen cars to Universal Scrap Processes and Gershow Recycling facilities on Long Island and had them crushed for $600 to $750 each between Feb. 4 and April 7.
Brew’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.
Brew allegedly gave the scrap yards MV-35 forms, which are used to transfer older vehicles without a title, that indicated he owned the Dodge Caravans and Ford Econoline Vans, according to Brown.
“Thieves are growing more aggressive and taking advantage of a quirk in the law which allows them to dispose of vehicles eight years or older without proof of title. They simply show their driver’s license at the scrap yard, fill out a DMV form stating that they are the delivery agent or the vehicle’s owner and leave with cash in their pocket — and their victims without a ride,” Brown said in a statement.
Brew was arraigned on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree falsifying business records and third-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle May 2, according to the DA.
