A 17-day crime spree that tore through auto-body shops, car dealerships and private homes from Suffolk County to Florida has ended with nine men indicted on 38 counts, including armed robbery, burglary, carjacking and weapons charges.
Prosecutors say the crew operated like a roaming smash-and-grab unit between July 19 and August 4, 2025, stealing luxury cars, swapping license plates, brandishing guns and leaving a trail of shattered glass across multiple states.
“This indictment is another example of my office’s commitment to holding organized criminal enterprises accountable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney, warning: “We will pursue you… no matter where our investigation takes us.”
Investigators allege the spree began with break-ins at three Westchester auto-body shops in one night, where suspects smashed windows and stole cash and hundreds of blank checks. Days later, authorities say two defendants stole a Chevrolet Suburban in Dutchess County, grabbed a safe with $5,000 and dozens of license plates, and even tried to rip off a Lamborghini dealership in Nassau.
Police say the suspects then traveled to Florida, acquired firearms, stole a Dodge Charger and carjacked a BMW at gunpoint on the drive back north — abandoning it when they realized it had a manual transmission.
Back on Long Island, the violence escalated. Prosecutors allege the group committed a gunpoint home invasion in Bay Shore, stealing $4,700, and carjacked a woman outside her Deer Park home.
“Our coordinated efforts undoubtedly prevented an innocent person from being seriously injured,” said Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.
Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. said the suspects will now “have to answer for its actions.”
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James called the ring “a detrimental auto theft” operation whose members showed “no regard for the dangers they posed.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said the case reflects “brazen violence that endangers our communities.”
Authorities credited a sweeping, multi-agency investigation for dismantling the ring.
Several defendants face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. All are presumed innocent.