NYC authorities halt speedy motorcycle thieves

Pony Trekker · 07-26-2012, 03:00 PM

http://www.stltoday.com/news/nationa...6fbf63c40.html

1shinysideup · 07-26-2012, 03:04 PM

cut their hands off..

A ring of bandits made high-end motorcycles suddenly disappear _ and illegal guns appear _ on New York City streets in a lucrative smuggling scheme, authorities said Thursday.

The ring dispatched "steal teams" in stolen minivans _ their backseats removed _ to comb upscale neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights for Ducatis, Hondas and other bikes of choice, authorities said. Then they would stop alongside parked bikes, slide open the van door and lift them inside before driving off.

"In most instances, this took no more than 30 seconds," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference where he and District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced enterprise corruption and other charges against 33 people.

The investigation stemmed from a report last year of a Yamaha stolen in Tribeca. Over the next several months, police learned that the defendants had swiped more than 60 motorcycles worth about $500,000.

"The streets served as outdoor showrooms where crews would go shopping," Kelly said.

Black market dealers would pay about $2,000 for each stolen bike before having them dismantled, wrapped in plastic and shipped for resale in Caribbean and African nations and elsewhere under labels reading "household goods."

The ring also diversified "like any good business" by dealing illegal guns in Harlem, Vance said.

Prosecutors allege that during the probe, an undercover detective bought 15 weapons _ most believed smuggled from southern states _ from the ring. The cache included three semiautomatic assault rifles.

Investigators also learned that the bandits tried to escape detection with counter-surveillance _ identifying unmarked police vehicles and taking photos of them.

TheRock11 · 07-26-2012, 03:06 PM

Wow $500,000 in stolen motorcycles! These guys were busy

kd7svh · 07-26-2012, 06:33 PM

If only burning at the stake were still an option...

evander · 07-27-2012, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by 1shinysideup

The ring dispatched "steal teams" in stolen minivans _ their backseats removed _ to comb upscale neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights for Ducatis, Hondas and other bikes of choice, authorities said. Then they would stop alongside parked bikes, slide open the van door and lift them inside before driving off.

A buddy of mine in LA always pays gash for gas. He walked in to pre-pay and came out a couple minutes later and his bike was gone. The surveillance video showed a van pull up and four guys hop out and "toss" his bike in though the side door all in broad daylight. Police found the van, of course stolen, and never recovered his bike.

acura9927 · 07-27-2012, 10:41 AM

I only took my bike to the movies once and now will never do it again. I only leave my bike out when I go get some things at Fred Meyer. But I am in and out, its awful how fast a bike can be stolen.

Tdawg · 07-27-2012, 11:11 AM

Interesting thread on the topic (taken from another forum)

http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/..._operator_ama/

There was a security cam video not too long ago where 3 guys Picked up a CBR600 and tossed it in a mini-van. With the disc lock still on it. IIRC, it was 23 seconds


07-26-2012, 03:00 PM	#1
Pony Trekker Peg Dragger Joined: Jul 2009 From: Winston, OR I Ride: Nighthawk S 700, Royal Enfield Bullet 500	NYC authorities halt speedy motorcycle thieves http://www.stltoday.com/news/nationa...6fbf63c40.html __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-26-2012, 03:04 PM	#2
1shinysideup Streetfighter Joined: Feb 2007 From: Seattle I Ride: 06 600RR	cut their hands off.. A ring of bandits made high-end motorcycles suddenly disappear _ and illegal guns appear _ on New York City streets in a lucrative smuggling scheme, authorities said Thursday. The ring dispatched "steal teams" in stolen minivans _ their backseats removed _ to comb upscale neighborhoods like Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Heights for Ducatis, Hondas and other bikes of choice, authorities said. Then they would stop alongside parked bikes, slide open the van door and lift them inside before driving off. "In most instances, this took no more than 30 seconds," Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference where he and District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced enterprise corruption and other charges against 33 people. The investigation stemmed from a report last year of a Yamaha stolen in Tribeca. Over the next several months, police learned that the defendants had swiped more than 60 motorcycles worth about $500,000. "The streets served as outdoor showrooms where crews would go shopping," Kelly said. Black market dealers would pay about $2,000 for each stolen bike before having them dismantled, wrapped in plastic and shipped for resale in Caribbean and African nations and elsewhere under labels reading "household goods." The ring also diversified "like any good business" by dealing illegal guns in Harlem, Vance said. Prosecutors allege that during the probe, an undercover detective bought 15 weapons _ most believed smuggled from southern states _ from the ring. The cache included three semiautomatic assault rifles. Investigators also learned that the bandits tried to escape detection with counter-surveillance _ identifying unmarked police vehicles and taking photos of them. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-26-2012, 03:06 PM	#3
TheRock11 Chicken Strips Joined: Jan 2011 From: Kirkland, Washington I Ride: '05 R6 Scooty-Puff, Sr.	Wow $500,000 in stolen motorcycles! These guys were busy __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-26-2012, 06:33 PM	#4
kd7svh Licensed Joined: Nov 2011 From: Dayton, OR I Ride: '99 Triumph Daytona 955i	If only burning at the stake were still an option... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-27-2012, 10:41 AM	#6
acura9927 Licensed Joined: Nov 2011 From: Seattle I Ride: 2011 CBR250R	I only took my bike to the movies once and now will never do it again. I only leave my bike out when I go get some things at Fred Meyer. But I am in and out, its awful how fast a bike can be stolen. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


07-27-2012, 11:11 AM	#7
Tdawg Pit Crew Joined: Mar 2006 From: Here.wa.us I Ride: a couple	Interesting thread on the topic (taken from another forum) http://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycles/..._operator_ama/ There was a security cam video not too long ago where 3 guys Picked up a CBR600 and tossed it in a mini-van. With the disc lock still on it. IIRC, it was 23 seconds __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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