This week, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney revealed that two defendants have been sentenced to prison and two more are awaiting sentencing.
The quartet—Oliver Morocho, 22, of Corona, Queens; Albert Espinal, 24, of Queens; Jose Deleon, 38, of Brooklyn; and Geovanny Ortize, 37, of Brooklyn—were part of the same catalytic convertor theft ring, an investigation confirmed.
Morocho, Espinal and Deleon have all either received or are expected to receive 1-3 year prison sentences. Ortiz is expected to receive a 6-month sentence in October.
The four defendants worked in concert to steal vehicles parked in front of Suffolk County homes throughout 2024.
Court documents show their actions were captured on homeowners’ surveillance cameras. It was not long before this security technology helped law enforcement officers swiftly identify the culprits.
According to DA Tierney’s office, since their arrests in October, catalytic converter thefts in Suffolk County have dropped more than 90 percent.
“The convictions of the four perpetrators of these quality-of-life crimes demonstrates our continued commitment to investigating catalytic converter thefts and prosecuting those who steal,” said DA Tierney.
“Stealing catalytic converters on Long Island is rightfully treated as a serious felony.”