Car Theft Ring Busted: Nine Defendants Sentenced to Prison

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of nine individuals involved in a massive car theft ring. The group plead guilty to theft and criminal possession of 45 vehicles in New York City, Yonkers, and throughout Westchester County .

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the defendants targeting vehicles left unattended on the street for days at a time. They disabled alarms and swiftly gained access to the cars. They unlawfully obtained key code information allowing them to create keys to access and steal vehicles discreetly.

The vehicles then underwent alterations to conceal their true identities. This included changing vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and forging federal certification stickers. The stolen cars were then sold to customers in the United States and the Dominican Republic.

These individuals preyed on New Yorkers who were adhering to stay-at-home orders during the early stages of the pandemic.

Letitia James – New York Attorney General

Operation “Master Key”

The capture and prosecution of this criminal enterprise was a two-year collaborative effort. Dubbed “Operation Master Key” due to the gang's ability to create keys for various vehicles, the investigation uncovered the intricate workings of the theft ring. The Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force, the NYPD Auto Crime Division, the Yonkers Police Department , and other departments spanning four states all received praise for their joint efforts.

Through our partnership with local law enforcement, we have brought them to justice, ensuring the safety of all New Yorkers.

Letitia James – New York Attorney General

The sentences

Nine defendants received their sentences in Bronx Supreme Court from Judge Guy Mitchell, ranging from prison terms to probation.

• Norberto Pena Brito, 38, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. He was sentenced to one to three years in state prison, and ordered to pay nearly $40,000 in restitution.
• Jose Lebron Pimentel 42, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree. Sentenced to one year in state prison.
• Dariberto Fernandez Perez, 33, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Sentenced to one to three years in state prison.
• Hector Rivera, 54, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Sentenced to five years of probation.
• Willy Abreu Martinez, 41, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Sentenced to five years of probation.
• Jesus Cabral, 58, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree. Sentenced to five years of probation.
• Carlos Valverde, 36, Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. He served over two years in jail.
• Adbul Khan, 37, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree. Sentenced to six months in jail.
• Leticia Saldivar, 39, Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree. Sentenced to six months in jail.

This recent bust marks fourth of its kind in the past year and a half. From the first in October 2022 delivering 76 counts to four defendants , to the most recent in December 2023 , there have been over 20 individuals arrested for their involvement in large-scale automobile theft.