NEW YORK — The NYPD conducted a raid in the Bronx targeting a crew behind a citywide robbery pattern, resulting in the arrest of seven migrants, several of whom were apprehended Monday morning. The arrests were made in connection with a group responsible for a citywide pattern of cellphone robberies, with some of the stolen goods being recovered in the raid, according to the police.
The robbers, known to use scooters, would steal people’s cellphones and then hack into them to gain access to banking apps, the police believe. Surveillance video captured an incident in which a suspect on a scooter grabbed a victim’s bag, dragging them to the sidewalk.
The alleged ringleader of the robbery ring, Victor Parra, is still at large, while several others were arrested during the Monday morning raid at an apartment in the Allerton section of the Bronx. The group is suspected to be involved in 62 robbery incidents across the city, including the transit system, police said.
The NYPD, accompanied by Mayor Eric Adams, made multiple arrests at an apartment they described as a stash house or headquarters for the cellphone robbery operation connected to more than a dozen suspects, many of whom are migrants, according to the police.
“This administration, police department, we’ve always talked about welcoming asylum seekers. But once you start robbing people and stealing from them, your status is criminal, and you’ll be treated as such,” said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard.
Mayor Adams emphasized that criminal behavior impacting the quality of life of New Yorkers will not be tolerated, regardless of the perpetrator’s immigration status. The overarching sentiment is that the law applies equally to all, and criminal activity will be handled by the criminal justice system.
In light of the recent robberies, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny stated that the theft ring primarily comprised individuals living in migrant shelters and using social media platforms to organize and coordinate their thefts. The group’s lucrative operation involved the theft of cellphones and purses from victims, with the stolen phones being hacked into to gain access to the victims’ financial and banking apps.
The captured stolen phones were used for their payment apps, including Apple Pay, with the suspects using credit cards linked to the phones. So far, the police have identified 14 members of the crew, and seven have been arrested, with more arrests expected in connection with the case.
Mayor Adams highlighted the need for a national solution to address the issue, emphasizing the need to separate criminal behavior from the overwhelming number of migrants and asylum seekers who are law-abiding individuals pursuing a better life. He emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of criminal activity impacting cities, irrespective of immigration status, calling for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.
The robbery pattern, which started in November 2023 on the Upper East Side, has raised concerns among Bronx residents, with many expressing fear for the safety of their vulnerable loved ones and neighbors. The impact of these robberies has prompted a call for a national solution to address the issue in a comprehensive manner, ensuring the safety and security of all residents.