NY Motorcycle theift ring busted

TahoesHateMe · 01-07-2005, 07:30 PM

HOT WHEELS

By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor New York Post

A major motorcycle theft ring ? reputedly including a city firefighter ? has been smashed with the indictment of 16 suspects for swiping millions of dollars in high-end bikes from city streets, The Post has learned.
NYPD detectives were expected to fan out this morning to round up the gang, which includes a 23-year-old Queens firefighter who allegedly ran the operation with three childhood friends from Flushing, law-enforcement sources said.

Sources say the four ringleaders paid a dozen thieves $2,000 for expensive Suzuki, Yamaha, Harley and Honda motorcycles ? some worth as much as $35,000 apiece.

During a nine-month probe, wiretaps conducted by the NYPD's Auto Crime Division and the Queens DA's Office captured the young firefighter boasting he worked in a slow firehouse and was happy he had little to do, sources say.

On tape, the smoke-eater is heard ridiculing his colleagues ? for being eager to work and anxious to fight fires, the sources added.

Ironically, the lazy firefighter joined the FDNY after 9/11 and lives near a part of Kissena Park that was renamed two years ago for firefighter Scott Kopytko of Manhattan's Ladder Company 15 who died in the World Trade Center.

The head crooks are suspected of being in business for two years and splitting as much as $2 million, the law-enforcement sources said.

The ring routinely combed the city for expensive motorcycles left parked on the streets and would load them into vans or trucks, the sources said.

On several occasions, they followed motorcyclists to their homes ? one as far as Suffolk County ? and broke into garages to steal the motorcycles.

The ringleaders routinely sold the powerful motorcycle engines for up to $3,000 apiece to enthusiasts of "dwarf car" racing, a popular sport in California, Arizona, Missouri and Pennsylvania where aficionados re-create vintage cars from 1928 to 1949 to a five-eighths scale and race them at speeds up to 100 mph.

The remaining motorcycle parts ? including expensive chrome wheels, handlebars, seats and mufflers ? are sold on eBay or other Internet sites, sources said.

Authorities believe the ring stole several hundred motorcycles and chopped them up at the ringleaders' homes.

The ringleaders are expected to be charged with enterprise corruption, which carries a possible six-year sentence.

The others are expected to face lesser charges. Spokesmen for the NYPD and DA Brown declined comment.

TahoesHateMe · 01-07-2005, 08:02 PM

Theres more. One of them was a mod on 1000RR.net

"Officers served 26 search warrants where they seized more than $160,000 in cash, 90 motorcycles engines, 9 motorcycles, a large assortment of motorcycles parts, 9 computers, an RV and 5 cars. The ringleaders are
Chris Demetrolus, Robert Fili, Mike Kontos and Eric Kohler, a New York City fireman. "

Chris Demetrolus was identified on fireblades.org by someone as the mod on 1000RR.net

PRESS RELEASE
NO. 2005-001
Thursday, January 6, 2005

NEW YORK CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCES 13 ARRESTS IN THE TAKEDOWN OF A MOTORCYCLE THEFT RING

New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced the arrest of 13 members of a motorcycle theft ring. The ring utilized swift turnarounds and the Internet as the key components in their operation. The ring was so prolific that when officers made arrests this morning, two suspects had a freshly stolen motorcycle in their van. The investigation was carried out by members of the Auto Crime Division with assistance from Police Departments in Ohio and California, as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York.

The theft ring focused on high-performance motorcycles of recent vintage. The crew's specialty was to steal a motorcycle and dismantle it for resale within a few days. When the vehicles were reduced to pieces, the thieves would sell the various parts without serial numbers on popular Internet auction sites.

Engine blocks stamped with a serial number were usually sold on sites catering to "dwarf car" racing. Dwarf cars are 5/8th the size of regular vehicles and are powered by motorcycle engines. Racing these vehicles is popular in California and other states where the events take place on privately owned tracks. In dwarf car racing, the engines work to their limit and their lifespan can be as short as a week. The engines are expensive disposable parts.

Police Commissioner Kelly said: "The speed and savvy this group of criminals used was overcome by the skill of the Auto Crime Division detectives. Beginning with no more than an Internet nickname, our investigative professionals built an entire case against a crew that worked in the shadows. The officers used their street smarts as well as their technological know-how and in the end, got the goods on a crew
responsible for numerous motorcycle thefts. Thank you all for your excellent work."

This investigation was initiated when a Queens resident reported a stolen motorcycle to the 104th Precinct Detective Squad. After reporting the theft, the victim returned home and began to search online for a similar bike. To his amazement, he identified parts for sale from his own motorcycle. There was small but distinctive scratch on the gas tank that clearly distinguished it as a part from his bike.

The Auto Crime Division went to work contacting the seller of the stolen parts through his online ID. Officers soon arranged the purchase of two stolen motorcycle engines. The detectives developed a complete picture of the group and traced their activities around the country. Police in Ohio and California intercepted shipments using local warrants to identify stolen motors and documented them with digital photographs.

The ring included thieves who stole the motorcycles and they received critical information from "locators," innocents employed at a driving school and an insurance brokerage office. The thieves spotted prospective bikes and noted the license plate numbers. They then duped locators into running the plates to determine the owners' information and most importantly, where the motorcycle was registered.

Most often late at night, the thieves swooped in and stole the motorcycles from the owners' residences. In fact, while investigators waited this morning at crew member Jose Hernandez's home at 10-38 Bay 32nd Street in the 101st Precinct, they saw a white van approaching. The van's driver spotted the police officers and attempted to screech away. However, the detectives successfully intercepted the getaway and discovered that Hernandez was not alone in the van. Along for the ride was Quincy Pringle and a stolen 2004 Honda CBR 1000. The theft was so recent that the owner had not yet reported the motorcycle stolen.

The stolen bikes were dismantled at two different locations and the parts were stored in one of four separate facilities. The group also kept a driver from a private garbage company on their payroll to cart away the scrap pieces.

The separate parts and the engines landed with the four "fencemen." These individuals, who are also the group's leaders, employed a variety of web sites and Internet identifications to sell their stolen wares. The entire process from steal to sale and disposal would happen within days.

Officers served 26 search warrants where they seized more than $160,000 in cash, 90 motorcycles engines, 9 motorcycles, a large assortment of motorcycles parts, 9 computers, an RV and 5 cars. The ringleaders are
Chris Demetrolus, Robert Fili, Mike Kontos and Eric Kohler, a New York City fireman.

This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Tryful · 01-07-2005, 08:30 PM

What a bummer a guy trusted by the local community to save people's property and lives and the guy is the head a local crime ring. Atleast they caught the guy but it sure sounds like the guy is going to just get a slap on the wrist.

ABearden · 01-08-2005, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tryful

What a bummer a guy trusted by the local community to save people's property and lives and the guy is the head a local crime ring. Atleast they caught the guy but it sure sounds like the guy is going to just get a slap on the wrist.

Public names = some computer savvy MC riders will definitely be visiting after they get out. Slap on the wrist from the government, yes, but how many guys in NY whose bikes got stolen are now on a warpath to break legs?

TahoesHateMe · 01-08-2005, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABearden

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tryful

What a bummer a guy trusted by the local community to save people's property and lives and the guy is the head a local crime ring. Atleast they caught the guy but it sure sounds like the guy is going to just get a slap on the wrist.

Public names = some computer savvy MC riders will definitely be visiting after they get out. Slap on the wrist from the government, yes, but how many guys in NY whose bikes got stolen are now on a warpath to break legs?

Someone on Fireblades.org said there out on bail according to a news vid. I'll try to post the link.

Tryful · 01-08-2005, 09:14 AM

Never thought of that, good point but why would they want to go get themselves in trouble. But I'd like to believe in karma and that guy and his minions will get what they deserved.

rc51rider · 01-10-2005, 07:58 PM

some people just need to fall from a really high place. i hate theives i have had to much stuff jacked not a good feeling to walk out and see something you love gone and having no idea where it is. also the fact that insurance isn't going to give you all that much for it, they are the other theives

SPEED · 01-13-2005, 07:12 AM

Dwarf cars huh?! Sounds like a good way for those pinheads to make $$ since those cars go through motors so ofter. Too bad that kind of racing has fallen victim to these thieves.

01-07-2005, 07:30 PM	#1
TahoesHateMe Track Junkie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,798 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 6 (20)	NY Motorcycle theift ring busted HOT WHEELS By MURRAY WEISS Criminal Justice Editor New York Post A major motorcycle theft ring ? reputedly including a city firefighter ? has been smashed with the indictment of 16 suspects for swiping millions of dollars in high-end bikes from city streets, The Post has learned. NYPD detectives were expected to fan out this morning to round up the gang, which includes a 23-year-old Queens firefighter who allegedly ran the operation with three childhood friends from Flushing, law-enforcement sources said. Sources say the four ringleaders paid a dozen thieves $2,000 for expensive Suzuki, Yamaha, Harley and Honda motorcycles ? some worth as much as $35,000 apiece. During a nine-month probe, wiretaps conducted by the NYPD's Auto Crime Division and the Queens DA's Office captured the young firefighter boasting he worked in a slow firehouse and was happy he had little to do, sources say. On tape, the smoke-eater is heard ridiculing his colleagues ? for being eager to work and anxious to fight fires, the sources added. Ironically, the lazy firefighter joined the FDNY after 9/11 and lives near a part of Kissena Park that was renamed two years ago for firefighter Scott Kopytko of Manhattan's Ladder Company 15 who died in the World Trade Center. The head crooks are suspected of being in business for two years and splitting as much as $2 million, the law-enforcement sources said. The ring routinely combed the city for expensive motorcycles left parked on the streets and would load them into vans or trucks, the sources said. On several occasions, they followed motorcyclists to their homes ? one as far as Suffolk County ? and broke into garages to steal the motorcycles. The ringleaders routinely sold the powerful motorcycle engines for up to $3,000 apiece to enthusiasts of "dwarf car" racing, a popular sport in California, Arizona, Missouri and Pennsylvania where aficionados re-create vintage cars from 1928 to 1949 to a five-eighths scale and race them at speeds up to 100 mph. The remaining motorcycle parts ? including expensive chrome wheels, handlebars, seats and mufflers ? are sold on eBay or other Internet sites, sources said. Authorities believe the ring stole several hundred motorcycles and chopped them up at the ringleaders' homes. The ringleaders are expected to be charged with enterprise corruption, which carries a possible six-year sentence. The others are expected to face lesser charges. Spokesmen for the NYPD and DA Brown declined comment.

01-07-2005, 08:30 PM	#3
Tryful Canyon Carver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lakewood, Socal Posts: 515 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 5 (10)	What a bummer a guy trusted by the local community to save people's property and lives and the guy is the head a local crime ring. Atleast they caught the guy but it sure sounds like the guy is going to just get a slap on the wrist. __________________ How do you know where you are? If you don't know where you started from? 2005 999 Duc- Black

01-08-2005, 09:14 AM	#6
Tryful Canyon Carver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lakewood, Socal Posts: 515 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 5 (10)	Never thought of that, good point but why would they want to go get themselves in trouble. But I'd like to believe in karma and that guy and his minions will get what they deserved. __________________ How do you know where you are? If you don't know where you started from? 2005 999 Duc- Black

01-10-2005, 07:58 PM	#7
rc51rider Know It All Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: La Mirada Posts: 254 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 4 (10)	some people just need to fall from a really high place. i hate theives i have had to much stuff jacked not a good feeling to walk out and see something you love gone and having no idea where it is. also the fact that insurance isn't going to give you all that much for it, they are the other theives __________________ no my headlight is not out

01-13-2005, 07:12 AM	#8
SPEED Administrator Tournaments Won: 2 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: So Cali Bikes: '07 Honda CBR600RR, Cag Pocket bike Age: 43 Posts: 10,916 iTrader: (5) Rep Power: 15 (42)	NYPD Brings Down Large-scale Motorcycle Theft Ring Dwarf cars huh?! Sounds like a good way for those pinheads to make $$ since those cars go through motors so ofter. Too bad that kind of racing has fallen victim to these thieves. __________________ Live to ride another day!" SIGN UP HERE --> "Zoomsplat" -Wingers" SPORTBIKES WEST.COM User Maintenance General Forum Usage Reading and Posting Messages

01-07-2005, 08:02 PM	#2
TahoesHateMe Track Junkie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 1,798 iTrader: (0) Rep Power: 6 (20)	Theres more. One of them was a mod on 1000RR.net "Officers served 26 search warrants where they seized more than $160,000 in cash, 90 motorcycles engines, 9 motorcycles, a large assortment of motorcycles parts, 9 computers, an RV and 5 cars. The ringleaders are Chris Demetrolus, Robert Fili, Mike Kontos and Eric Kohler, a New York City fireman. " Chris Demetrolus was identified on fireblades.org by someone as the mod on 1000RR.net PRESS RELEASE NO. 2005-001 Thursday, January 6, 2005 NEW YORK CITY POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY ANNOUNCES 13 ARRESTS IN THE TAKEDOWN OF A MOTORCYCLE THEFT RING New York City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today announced the arrest of 13 members of a motorcycle theft ring. The ring utilized swift turnarounds and the Internet as the key components in their operation. The ring was so prolific that when officers made arrests this morning, two suspects had a freshly stolen motorcycle in their van. The investigation was carried out by members of the Auto Crime Division with assistance from Police Departments in Ohio and California, as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties in New York. The theft ring focused on high-performance motorcycles of recent vintage. The crew's specialty was to steal a motorcycle and dismantle it for resale within a few days. When the vehicles were reduced to pieces, the thieves would sell the various parts without serial numbers on popular Internet auction sites. Engine blocks stamped with a serial number were usually sold on sites catering to "dwarf car" racing. Dwarf cars are 5/8th the size of regular vehicles and are powered by motorcycle engines. Racing these vehicles is popular in California and other states where the events take place on privately owned tracks. In dwarf car racing, the engines work to their limit and their lifespan can be as short as a week. The engines are expensive disposable parts. Police Commissioner Kelly said: "The speed and savvy this group of criminals used was overcome by the skill of the Auto Crime Division detectives. Beginning with no more than an Internet nickname, our investigative professionals built an entire case against a crew that worked in the shadows. The officers used their street smarts as well as their technological know-how and in the end, got the goods on a crew responsible for numerous motorcycle thefts. Thank you all for your excellent work." This investigation was initiated when a Queens resident reported a stolen motorcycle to the 104th Precinct Detective Squad. After reporting the theft, the victim returned home and began to search online for a similar bike. To his amazement, he identified parts for sale from his own motorcycle. There was small but distinctive scratch on the gas tank that clearly distinguished it as a part from his bike. The Auto Crime Division went to work contacting the seller of the stolen parts through his online ID. Officers soon arranged the purchase of two stolen motorcycle engines. The detectives developed a complete picture of the group and traced their activities around the country. Police in Ohio and California intercepted shipments using local warrants to identify stolen motors and documented them with digital photographs. The ring included thieves who stole the motorcycles and they received critical information from "locators," innocents employed at a driving school and an insurance brokerage office. The thieves spotted prospective bikes and noted the license plate numbers. They then duped locators into running the plates to determine the owners' information and most importantly, where the motorcycle was registered. Most often late at night, the thieves swooped in and stole the motorcycles from the owners' residences. In fact, while investigators waited this morning at crew member Jose Hernandez's home at 10-38 Bay 32nd Street in the 101st Precinct, they saw a white van approaching. The van's driver spotted the police officers and attempted to screech away. However, the detectives successfully intercepted the getaway and discovered that Hernandez was not alone in the van. Along for the ride was Quincy Pringle and a stolen 2004 Honda CBR 1000. The theft was so recent that the owner had not yet reported the motorcycle stolen. The stolen bikes were dismantled at two different locations and the parts were stored in one of four separate facilities. The group also kept a driver from a private garbage company on their payroll to cart away the scrap pieces. The separate parts and the engines landed with the four "fencemen." These individuals, who are also the group's leaders, employed a variety of web sites and Internet identifications to sell their stolen wares. The entire process from steal to sale and disposal would happen within days. Officers served 26 search warrants where they seized more than $160,000 in cash, 90 motorcycles engines, 9 motorcycles, a large assortment of motorcycles parts, 9 computers, an RV and 5 cars. The ringleaders are Chris Demetrolus, Robert Fili, Mike Kontos and Eric Kohler, a New York City fireman. This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

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