SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the indictment of nine defendants following an investigation into what prosecutors describe as a coordinated, Suffolk County-based crime spree involving auto-body shop burglaries, stolen vehicles, armed robberies, and carjackings across multiple jurisdictions.
The alleged criminal activity occurred between July 19 and August 4, 2025, spanning Suffolk County, Nassau County, New York City, Westchester and Dutchess counties, and extending down the East Coast to Florida.
The investigation was led by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Gang Task Force and the Suffolk County Police Department, with assistance from numerous local, state, and federal agencies.
Pattern of Burglaries and Vehicle Thefts
According to the indictment, the defendants are accused of:
- Breaking into eight auto-body shops
- Burglarizing two residences
- Committing three armed robberies
- Stealing multiple vehicles
- Possessing and using multiple firearms
- Swapping stolen license plates to evade detection
Investigators allege the group targeted auto-body shops to steal cash, blank checks, keys, safes, and license plates, which were then used in subsequent crimes.
Alleged Escalation Across Jurisdictions
The indictment outlines a rapid escalation:
- July 19 – Four defendants allegedly burglarized three auto-body shops in Westchester County after traveling in a stolen BMW.
- July 25 – Two defendants allegedly broke into shops in Dutchess County, stole a Chevrolet Suburban and a safe containing $5,000, blank checks, and 48 sets of license plates.
- The same stolen vehicle was allegedly used in an attempted Lamborghini dealership break-in in Nassau County.
- Between July 27 and July 29, defendants allegedly traveled to Florida, acquired two firearms, stole a Dodge Charger, and swapped license plates.
- While returning north, they allegedly committed a carjacking at gunpoint, abandoning the vehicle after discovering it was manual transmission.
- In early August, the group allegedly carried out additional burglaries, auto thefts, a Deer Park carjacking, and a gunpoint home invasion in Bay Shore.
On August 4, 2025, Suffolk County Police responding to a 911 call arrested two defendants near the Bay Shore burglary. Police recovered a .45 caliber handgun, cash, stolen plates, and the Dodge Charger linked to the Florida theft.
Arrests and Indictment
On February 25, 2026, six defendants were arrested with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force and partner agencies. Three others were already in custody.
Prosecutors allege the nine defendants operated as a coordinated enterprise responsible for nearly 20 criminal incidents over 17 days.
Indicted Defendants
The defendants face varying top charges, including Robbery in the First Degree, Robbery in the Second Degree, and Burglary in the Third Degree.
Defendant-by-Defendant Breakdown
| Defendant | Age | Residence | Top Charge | Custody / Bail Status | Next Court Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savion Jones | 22 | Huntington Station | Robbery 1st Degree | In custody (unrelated case) | March 6, 2026 |
| Leny Cruz | 23 | Brooklyn | Robbery 1st Degree | In custody | March 2, 2026 |
| Harvin Parra | 20 | Bay Shore | Robbery 1st Degree | $350K cash / $750K bond | March 24, 2026 |
| Justin Kenny | 24 | Bohemia | Robbery 1st Degree | $350K cash / $750K bond | March 25, 2026 |
| Robert Salters | 20 | Wyandanch | Robbery 1st Degree | $150K cash / $500K bond | March 23, 2026 |
| Jose Ramos | 20 | Bay Shore | Robbery 2nd Degree | $150K cash / $500K bond | March 25, 2026 |
| Carlos Benitez-Montoya | 20 | Bay Shore | Robbery 2nd Degree | $100K cash / $350K bond | March 23, 2026 |
| Noel Santelises | 21 | Brooklyn | Burglary 3rd Degree | Supervised Release (non-bail eligible) | March 25, 2026 |
| Edward Nunez | 28 | Brooklyn | Burglary 3rd Degree | Supervised Release (non-bail eligible) | March 25, 2026 |
Several defendants face potential sentences of up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the top counts. Others face sentencing ranges of 2 1/3 to 7 years depending on the charge.
Notes for Readers
- Robbery 1st Degree carries a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.
- Robbery 2nd Degree carries up to 15 years.
- Burglary 3rd Degree carries a potential sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years.
Court appearances are scheduled throughout March 2026 before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Facts and Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Type | Multi-County Auto Theft and Armed Robbery Enterprise |
| Indictment Announced | February 2026 |
| Alleged Crime Period | July 19 – August 4, 2025 (17 days) |
| Total Defendants Charged | 9 |
| Primary Investigating Agencies | Suffolk County DA Gang Task Force; Suffolk County Police Department |
| Assisting Agencies | NYSP, NYPD, ATF, Nassau County PD, Westchester & Dutchess County agencies, U.S. Marshals Task Force, Florida authorities |
| Geographic Scope | Suffolk County, Nassau County, NYC, Westchester County, Dutchess County, Florida |
| Alleged Criminal Incidents | Nearly 20 |
| Auto-Body Shops Burglarized | 8 |
| Residential Burglaries | 2 |
| Armed Robberies Alleged | 3 |
| Vehicles Allegedly Stolen | Multiple, including BMW, Chevrolet Suburban, Dodge Charger, Porsche SUV, Mercury sedan |
| Tactics Alleged | Swapping stolen license plates to evade law enforcement |
| Firearms Allegedly Acquired | 2 (Florida) |
| Notable Allegations | Gunpoint home invasion (Bay Shore); carjacking in Florida; Deer Park carjacking |
| Arrests | August 4, 2025 (initial arrests); February 25, 2026 (additional arrests) |
| Top Charges | Robbery in the First Degree; Robbery in the Second Degree; Burglary in the Third Degree |
| Maximum Potential Sentence | Up to 25 years in prison for First-Degree Robbery |
| Current Case Status | Pending in Suffolk County Supreme Court |
