Tiansi Gong, 26, Kevin McCarthy, 31, of Selden, and Matthew Hibner, 36, of Huntington, were indicted for Scheme to Defraud (First Degree), Conspiracy (Fourth Degree) and related charges, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office announced.
The liquid wet bandits-no-more allegedly used a lot located on Zorn Avenue in Yaphank to store stolen vehicles; they raked in $500,000 in car notes, leaving a lengthy list of victims in dire financial straits.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and USPIS’ New York offices weighed in on the case.
“The defendants are accused of sweeping crimes that demonstrated a propensity toward violence and a blatant disregard for the public’s safety and well-being,” said HSI New York Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.
“This case highlights the lengths criminals will go to defraud the American public,” adds USPIS New York Division Acting Inspector Ed Gallashaw.
Per the investigation, the Suffolk County Police Department’s Property Auto Crimes Unit launched a probe in April 2025. The three defendants were observed driving stolen vehicles — including a 2022 Dodge Challenger, a 2025 Cadillac CT5, and a 2021 Chevrolet Camaro — on numerous occasions.
Law enforcement attempted to apprehend McCarthy in the Challenger at a Bellmore 7-Eleven; with a detective at the driver’s side window, he put the clutch in reverse, rammed into the unmarked police vehicle behind him, and dragged the detective with him as he sped off, injuring the detective in the process.
McCarthy’s girlfriend, Emily Figueroa, allegedly concealed McCarthy’s loaded firearm during the encounter. He was picked up shortly thereafter at Figueroa’s Coram residence with a .9 mm semiautomatic pistol in his possession, along with cocaine, methamphetamine and psilocybin, AKA mushrooms.
Hibner was simultaneously arrested in Huntington that same day.
There are 35 potential victims who have been identified thus far. One of the victims—a full-time Uber driver—saw his identity compromised by Gong, who allegedly used the victim’s identity to purchase a $200,000 Cadillac.
Gong, a Manhattan resident, was pulled over for traffic violations by the NYPD in December, and used the aforementioned victim’s identification when prompted.
Due to the traffic violations Gong had accrued under this same victim’s identity, it caused the victim to receive enough undue Driver Violation Points to jeopardize his license, and therefore his employment as an Uber driver.
“Identity theft crimes cause serious financial and emotional trauma to victims, but when defendants escalate to violence against law enforcement, they cross an even more dangerous line,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Our office is committed to holding accountable those who prey on innocent victims and endanger the safety of our officers.”
Each defendant faces up to 4 years in prison.