Six people have been indicted for allegedly stealing dozens of cars over the last two years for parts, sale and use in street races, prosecutors announced on Wednesday.
According to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Laurelton’s Everald (aka Rambo) Ivey, 27, and Jamaica’s Cashawn (aka CC) Lee, 31, led the ring that allegedly stole 27 vehicles commonly used for illegal racing, including various makes and models of Hondas, Acuras, Nissans, Mitsubishis and Mazdas.
The duo and their partners in crime made use of smartphone technology in order to spot and quickly steal each car, authorities said. Police learned that one of the defendants, upon spotting a vehicle to steal, marked its location using Google Maps, then sent a text message with the information to a crew member who would later steal the vehicle.
The hot wheels were then transported to a holding spot, where they were examined for any potential tracking devices. Once they determined no such devices existed, some of the vehicles were then taken to a location in Queens and stripped for parts that were sold on Craigslist and other websites. Other hot vehicles were delivered to individuals connected with the ring for personal use.
Among the others charged in the indictment were Laurelton’s Ajani (aka Dread) Nyabingi, 21, who allegedly stripped the stolen cars and posted the parts for sale online; South Ozone Park’s Shadika Haye, 25, who used allowed crew members to use her home to dismantle the cars; and Hollis’ Favon Gohagon, 25, and Brooklyn’s Naquan Mandry, 25, who are alleged crew members.
“For many people, ownership of an automobile might be their most expensive purchase and having that vehicle taken from them can be an extreme hardship,” Brown said in a statement. “The defendants in this case have been caught and now face serious prison time.”
Police Commissioner William Bratton thanked the NYPD Auto Crime Division and the DA’s Rackets Bureau for working to crack the theft ring.
All six suspects were variously charged with criminal possession of stolen property, conspiracy and related charges. They each face up to seven years behind bars if convicted.
