Governor Hochul and Queens District Attorney Katz Announce Indictment Charges in $2.2 Million Organized Retail Theft Bust

Queens-Based Multi-State Operation Busted by District Attorney’s Office and Members of the State Police Organized Retail Theft Task Force Established by Governor Hochul

13 Individuals Named in a 780-Count Indictment Charging Them with Grand Larceny, Conspiracy, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property

Queens District Attorney’s Office Leveraged New Laws Targeting Organized Retail Theft Secured by Governor Hochul in the FY25 Enacted Budget

Governor Kathy Hochul and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that 13 individuals have been charged in a 780-count indictment for operating a stolen goods and resale ring that targeted Home Depot locations in New York and eight other states. The individuals are facing grand larceny, conspiracy, and criminal possession of stolen property charges, including those included in the FY25 Enacted Budget that strengthened larceny laws by combining the value of merchandise stolen in separate incidents. In addition to these new crimes targeting organized retail theft, the FY25 Enacted Budget included a new crime specific to assault on retail workers, and more than $40 million for law enforcement secured by Governor Hochul. That funding created a dedicated Organized Retail Theft Task Force within the New York State Police, the work of which was integral to this case, and augmented efforts by district attorneys and local police departments to investigate and prosecute these cases.

“Since taking office, my highest priority has been driving down crime and keeping New Yorkers safe,” Governor Hochul said. “Following a post-pandemic spike in retail theft, I committed new funds to establish a dedicated organized retail theft task force and secured stronger laws to hold people who commit these crimes accountable. With better support for District Attorneys, local police departments and the State Police, we’re stopping organized retail theft rings in their tracks and ensuring a safer retail environment for business owners, staff and shoppers throughout New York.”

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “Thirteen defendants, over $2.2 million in merchandise, 319 incidents of theft, nine states and 128 separate Home Depot stores are the facts alleged, resulting in a 780-count indictment. The defendants took breaks for lunch and dinner, sometimes hitting the same Home Depot up to four times in one day. The stolen items were then resold to consumers, through a Brooklyn storefront or on Facebook Marketplace. Working with our partners at the New York State Police, we brought this brazen operation to a halt. I thank Governor Hochul for signing laws that provide prosecutors’ offices with tools to more efficiently investigate, and more effectively charge, organized retail theft and fencing operations.”

The District Attorney’s Office investigation began in June 2024, when members of the District Attorney’s Detective Bureau observed stolen air conditioners from Home Depot while conducting surveillance in a separate matter. The District Attorney’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau built the case in-house and worked closely with the New York State Police’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force, part of the agency’s Special Investigations Unit.

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “This case sends a strong message to would-be criminals – if you engage in retail theft, we will find you and hold you accountable to the full extent of the law. Retail theft has real victims – threatening the safety of shoppers and retail workers, creating enormous losses for businesses, and rising prices for the rest of us. I want to commend the outstanding work of our investigators and our partners at the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, and I want to thank Governor Hochul for the support she has provided to help us fight back against organized retail theft.”

Eleven individuals were arraigned yesterday on a 780-count indictment including charges of first-degree grand larceny, first-degree criminal possession of stolen property, fourth-degree conspiracy, and other crimes. One defendant remains at large and another will be arraigned at a later date. If convicted, members of the alleged theft crew face up to 25 years in prison, and the alleged black market retailers, known as fences, up to 15 years in prison.

According to the indictment and investigation, members of the theft and fencing ring are accused of stealing home construction tools, building supplies, power tools, smoke alarms, air conditioners, paper towels and other goods totaling more than $2.2 million during a 13-month period from August 2024 to September 2025. The items — stolen during 319 different incidents — were then sold to black market resellers, known as fences, who allegedly ordered the specific items to be stolen and then resold those goods to consumers.

The theft crew met almost daily to determine the locations of Home Depots they would target based on a review of merchandise in each store. Among the most common items stolen were insulation kits, buckets of reflective roof coating, power tools, air conditioners and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The amount of merchandise stolen in a single day ranged from about $1,800 to nearly $35,000.

Not including arrests and stolen goods recovered from this operation, the State Police and local law enforcement partners have recovered more than $2.6 million in stolen goods, made 1,261 arrests and filed 2,219 charges across 1,057 retail theft enforcement operations. As of December 2025, retail theft is down 14 percent year over year in New York City. Across the rest of the state, larceny is down 14 percent in the first seven months of 2025 vs. 2024.

Following a post-pandemic spike in reported retail theft in New York City and a statewide surge in reported larcenies, Governor Hochul also advanced new initiatives to strengthen laws, hold perpetrators accountable, protect retail workers and support small businesses, including:

• Elevating the assault of a retail worker from a misdemeanor to a felony, ensuring any person who causes physical injury to a retail worker performing their job is subject to enhanced criminal penalties
• Allowing prosecutors to combine the value of stolen goods when filing larceny charges, and allowing retail goods from different stores to be aggregated for the purposes of reaching a higher larceny threshold when stolen under the same criminal scheme
• Making it illegal to foster the sale of stolen goods to go after third-party sellers
• Securing $5 million to fund tax credits to help small businesses invest in and alleviate the financial burden for added security measures

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Gen Z and Young Millennials in NY Struggle With Economic, Affordability Challenges

 

Student Loan Debt, Rising Housing Costs, and High Unemployment Undermine Financial Independence

New York’s young adults – some members of Generation Z (born 1997-2012) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) – are facing a complex economic landscape including higher unemployment rates, increasing costs, and larger debt burdens, that threatens their financial well-being, according to a new report released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“Young adults are dealing with mounting obstacles to achieving financial stability and independence,” DiNapoli said. “They face a shrinking pool of entry-level jobs and rising unemployment, driven in part by AI. Increasing housing costs along with growing debt are also making it increasingly difficult for them to live independently and build their future. Addressing affordability, expanding housing options, and improving access to education, job training and employment opportunities are essential to reversing these trends. Retaining the state’s young workforce is a critical component of New York’s prospects for its long-term economic growth and prosperity.”

In 2023, there were 4.6 million New Yorkers aged 18 to 34 (“young adults”) representing 23.2% of the state’s population and 6.1% of the young adult population nationwide, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. However, New York saw a 1.9% decline in this age group over the past decade, while the national population of young adults grew 4.2%.

The majority of young adults reside in the downstate regions (New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley), with one in four New York City residents falling into this age group. From 2013 to 2023, seven regions across the state experienced a decline in their young adult populations, with the largest decrease in the North Country (8.5%).

For 18-year-old high school graduates in New York, over half, 56.7%, pursue higher education, more than 37.3% of high school graduates nationally. People aged 26 to 34 are more likely to have a bachelor’s degree (31.5%) compared to those aged 35 and older (19.6%).

Job Market

For 18- to 25-year-olds, the labor force participation rate in 2023 was 47.6% with just under half (49.9%) attending school (high school and above). For those in school and in the labor force, the majority (87.8%) worked mostly part-time with a median work week of 21.7 hours. Employment for the 18- to 25-year-olds is largely in service occupations such as sales, food preparation or serving. Young adults aged 26 to 34 have the highest participation rate at 84.7%. Just under 90% of those who are college educated (and not currently attending school) are employed compared to 68.1% of those without a college education.

Unemployment

Compared to older New Yorkers, young adults face higher unemployment. The unemployment rate for young adults was 8.6% in 2023, more than double the statewide average. However, unemployment varies based on race, ethnicity and education. In 2024, the unemployment rate in New York for Black or African Americans aged 20 to 24 was 18.2%, more than double their white counterparts; the same was true among 25- to 34-year-olds. Young adults of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity also had higher unemployment rates. Asians aged 25 to 34 had the lowest unemployment rate. The unemployment rate for those in the 26 to 34 age group who do not have a college degree was over two times higher than those with one in 2023.

Expenses

The largest expenses for young adults were housing, food and transportation, which comprised over two-thirds of their total spending in 2023. Housing represented the largest expense, 35%, and food and transportation were a third of expenses. 

Since 2013, median rental costs for housing across New York have increased by 33%, with the number of lower cost units declining. Due to these increased costs, 35.9% of young adult renters now face housing cost burdens with 22.4% spending 30-49% of their income on rent and utilities and 13.4% spending 50% or more. In addition, home ownership by young adults has become increasingly difficult. In 2004, 31.2% of 26- to 34-year-olds owned a home; in 2023, it was 23.4%.

Debt Burdens

Young adults held nearly 30% of the nation’s total household debt in 2024. Since 2013, all debt held by young adults has grown by 67.8% ($2.1 trillion), growing faster than the 52.3% increase in debt held by individuals over 40.

In New York, 1.3 million young adults aged 18 to 34 had student loan debt totaling $40.5 billion, 42.1% of the total amount of student loan debt held by all age groups in the state in 2024. Average student loan debt in New York, just over $30,300, was the second highest in the nation, just below Maryland ($30,400). Reported student loan delinquencies, which are 90 days or more late on repayment, grew from 0.3% of young adults nationally at the end of 2024 to 9.7% in the second quarter of 2025, following the end of the Department of Education’s pause on credit reporting for student loans in October 2024.

Report

Obstacles to Independence: Financial Challenges Facing Young Millennials and Gen Z

Related Reports

New York City’s Uneven Recovery: Youth Labor Force Update

Renderings Revealed For La Ostra Mixed-Use Development at 4095 Ninth Avenue In Inwood, Manhattan

 

Renderings have been revealed for La Ostra, a 25-story mixed-use building at 4095 Ninth Avenue in Inwood, Manhattan. Designed by Magnusson Architecture and Planning and developed by Slate Property Group, Xenolith Partners, and Comunilife Inc., the structure is planned to yield more than 600 affordable homes, including 200 units for seniors and 400 units for low-income households. The project will also include a STEM-focused marine science center, mental health services, and recreational and open space. The development team was selected by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to transform the vacant city-owned site, which is located at the northern tip of Manhattan along the Harlem River.

The renderings preview an L-shaped massing with two towers rising 15 and 25 stories, both culminating in flat roofs with photovoltaic canopies. The connecting volume and the structure’s setbacks are shown topped with landscaped terraces and green roofs. The façade will be largely composed of white cementitious paneling surrounding a grid of floor-to-ceiling windows. Landscaped recreation areas and a waterfront esplanade will surround the ground floor.

La Ostra will include nearly 1 acre of publicly accessible open space along the Harlem River, a new indoor-outdoor field house, and a science and education facility operated by the Billion Oyster Project and BioBus. Comunilife will offer supportive on-site services, such as its Life is Precious program focused on mental health for teenagers and their families. Sustainability features will include energy storage batteries and flood-resilient infrastructure.

In addition, the development will include an outdoor classroom, a pavilion with movable seating, a central lawn, and a stone amphitheater. Several indoor community rooms will also serve as emergency refuge areas. The site plan reflects input from the Inwood 9th Avenue Community Visioning Report and the 2018 Inwood Action Plan.

The closest subways from the development site are the 1 train at 207th Street station and the A train at Inwood–207th Street station.

Attorney General James and Bipartisan Coalition Urge Big Tech Companies to Address Dangerous AI Chatbot Features

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general sent a letter to Big Tech companies urging them to implement safeguards on artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots to protect children and vulnerable people. In a letter to 13 companies, including Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI, the attorneys general cite examples of AI chatbots having inappropriate interactions with children and chatbot conversations leading to domestic violence incidents, hospitalizations, murders, and suicides. Attorney General James and the bipartisan coalition are calling on the companies to implement several safeguards to protect children and vulnerable people, including posting clear warnings about harmful AI responses and notifying users if they were exposed to potentially harmful outputs. The bipartisan coalition also warns that many states have robust criminal laws that prohibit the dangerous kind of suggestions and conversations AI chatbots are providing users, and that developers may be held accountable under those laws.

“I am deeply concerned by reports of AI chatbots having dangerous and inappropriate conversations with children, seniors, and vulnerable people,” said Attorney General James. “Big Tech companies must do more to stop their AI chatbots from exploiting children and encouraging harmful and sometimes deadly behaviors. I am joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general to demand that these companies prioritize user safety and add more safeguards to their AI tools.”

Generative AI, which creates content like text, images, videos, and more, has been implicated in at least six deaths nationwide, including the deaths of two teenagers. It generates chatbot responses that can encourage users’ delusions, falsely assure them that they are not delusional, or mislead them into thinking their communication is with a live human being. These types of responses can be especially harmful for individuals with existing mental health conditions. Children are at particular risk of harmful generative AI content. The attorneys general cite examples of AI chatbots having inappropriate conversations with children, including grooming, supporting suicide, sexual exploitation, emotional manipulation, suggested drug use, violence, and encouraging children to hide these interactions from their parents.

Attorney General James and the coalition assert that tech companies should take the problems of harmful AI responses seriously. The attorneys general write that companies that produce generative AI models have a responsibility to mitigate the harms of their products in order to protect communities nationwide.

The bipartisan coalition warns that some of these AI chatbot conversations could violate state criminal laws. In many states, encouraging an individual to commit a criminal act or to use drugs is itself a criminal offense. It is also illegal to provide mental health advice without a license, and doing so can both decrease trust in the mental health profession and deter patients from seeking help from actual professionals.

Attorney General James and the bipartisan coalition advocates for several safeguards and protective measures to protect children and vulnerable people, including posting clear and conspicuous warnings about the dangers of sycophantic and delusional AI responses, notifying users if they were exposed to potentially harmful outputs, and publicly reporting datasets, sources, and areas where AI models could produce biased, sycophantic, or delusional outputs. Lastly, the attorneys general encourage tech companies to prioritize user safety.

Joining Attorney General James in sending today’s letter are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

GrowNYC - Give back today for a change to score big! ⚾

 

The New York Mets, longtime supporters of GrowNYC, have donated a baseball signed by star slugger Juan Soto for one lucky GrowNYC donor! The Mets champion Seed to Plate, our curriculum teaching NYC youth about healthy food and the environment.

Read on to find out how you can enter to win this highly sought-after ball as well as two tickets to a 2026 Mets game!*

Seed to Plate programming at PS 135Q

Setting the scene: Fourth grader Jayleen stared at the rainbow of fruits and veggies on her desk. Today, she was discovering their secret powers:

•  Orange carrots for strong eyes

•  Green broccoli for strong bones

•  Red strawberries to help fight off sickness.

Then, Jayleen got her hands dirty making her own healthy snack. She and her classmates worked together to chop and dice fresh produce onto plates to share. They learned about where the food came from and the farms that grew it.

Jayleen felt proud creating something healthy, colorful, and delicious all by herself.

Why it matters: This is Seed to Plate, GrowNYC’s curriculum that connects NYC school children to fresh, nutritious food. Through engaging lessons, field trips, farmer visits, guest chefs, and hands-on cooking, students learn how their food is grown and how it affects their bodies, communities, and the planet.

A huge thank you to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation for supporting Seed to Plate and making moments like these possible. 

The big picture: Your support of GrowNYC ensures that more children like Jayleen can taste, touch, and experience the power of fresh, local food.

Make a gift to empower the next generation of environmental stewards

*Want a chance to win a piece of baseball history? When you make a gift to GrowNYC of at least $50 before December 31, 2025 you will automatically be entered into the drawing to win two tickets and one baseball signed by Mets outfielder Juan Soto.

Your tax-deductible donation of any size will empower the next generation of environmental stewards in New York City.

 Team GrowNYC

DEC AND NYSERDA ANNOUNCE PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL PROGRAM TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM ELECTRICITY SECTOR

 

Updates to Multi-State Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to Achieve Affordable Emissions Reductions and Meet Expected Energy Demand

Auctions Generate Billions for Investments in Clean Energy and Electrification 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced the release of proposed regulations to strengthen the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to achieve affordable and effective reductions in pollutants contributing to extreme heat, damaging flooding, and other harmful climate impacts. The regulatory updates follow a multi-state comprehensive stakeholder program review that ensures access to sufficient RGGI emissions reduction allowances to meet expected energy demand and bolsters price protection for consumers.   

“As New York and other states encounter rollbacks on the federal level when it comes to climate action, our commitment and partnership through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is advancing energy affordability and reliability, while reducing pollution,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “The proposed updates to RGGI are a strong example of how states can work together with an eye towards affordability to achieve emissions reductions that will improve air quality, protect our environment, invest in clean energy, and create healthier communities.”  

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NYSERDA continues to support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and furthering efforts to reduce harmful emissions while ensuring price stability and affordability. In a time when New York and other states are facing federal headwinds, these proposed updates demonstrate a collective solidarity among states to continue to take action to ensure the health and well-being of our neighborhoods and communities in New York and beyond.”  

In the face of federal rollbacks, DEC and NYSERDA’s proposals confirm New York’s commitment to energy affordability, climate resilience, and public health protection. RGGI continues to perform better than expected when the bipartisan program first launched more than 15 years ago. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the power sector in New York State reduced by more than 50 percent from 2005 levels and the energy transition is made more affordable statewide, with auction proceeds totaling more than $3 billion to date.  

The funds support investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electrification that ultimately provide savings to utility ratepayers. Net savings to participating ratepayers are expected to reach nearly $12 billion over the lifetime of the investments, providing a nearly 6-to-1 benefit based on investments of approximately $2 billion to date. In addition, an independent analysis found all RGGI states also realized $5.7 billion in public health benefits over its first six years alone (2009-2014), including fewer premature deaths, heart attacks, and respiratory illnesses thanks to cleaner air, and added 48,000 job-years. Additional investments are expected as RGGI continues. 

DEC’s proposed RGGI updates would reduce the regional emissions cap to approximately 69.8 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2027, then decline 89 percent relative to the 2024 cap through 2037. This would result in carbon dioxide emissions decreasing by approximately 10 percent annually through 2033, followed by 3 percent annually until 2037. The updated cap trajectory, which would result in a regional cap reduction of more than 60 million tons of carbon dioxide to approximately nine million tons in 2037 and subsequent years, was determined through consensus among participating states following consideration of stakeholder feedback and technical modeling and analysis.  

DEC and NYSERDA, in its role as the administrator of auctions and the investment of auction proceeds, also proposed draft regulations to increase the size of the Cost Containment Reserve (CCR) and establish a second tier of CCR allowances to ensure availability of RGGI allowances to meet grid reliability needs, ensure affordability, and protect against cost volatility. In addition, the joint proposal would remove the Emissions Containment Reserve from RGGI design and increase the minimum reserve price to also help protect against price volatility in the RGGI market.   

Updates to NYSERDA’s auction rule must be approved by NYSERDA’s Board. On November 17, 2025, the Board passed a resolution to approve publication of the proposed changes.   

The proposed regulations and proposed auction rule are available on DEC’s website. Public comments will be accepted through February 17, 2026. DEC and NYSERDA will hold two virtual public hearings on February 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. 

Following the public comment period, DEC and NYSERDA will work expeditiously to respond to public comments and anticipate adoption of a final regulation next year, in advance of 2027 when the updated emissions cap is slated to go into effect.  

In July, the states participating in RGGI, including New York, announced the finalized program updates to strengthen the regional emissions cap. The updated program review secures progress through the tightened cap while providing additional flexibility if extra price protection is needed. The next program review is expected to begin no later than 2028.  

On Monday, December 1, DEC also announced final regulations for Part 253 establishing a Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The rule will protect against anticipated federal rollbacks and improve New York’s understanding of sources of greenhouse gas emissions, more effectively monitor the State’s progress toward pollution reduction goals, and support the production of the annual GHG Emissions Report.  

New York State's Climate Agenda  

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $1 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs, and spur green job growth. 

KRVC - Join us for A Taste of Woodlawn on Saturday, December 13th!

 

Get ready to celebrate the season and support local businesses! 

​Join us for A Taste of Woodlawn on

Saturday, December 13th!

This event is absolutely FREE!

• ​What: A tasting tour of restaurants and businesses along Katonah Ave, finishing with a hand-crafted holiday market at The Rambling House.

• ​When: Saturday, December 13th

• ​Time: Tour begins promptly at 1:00 PM!

• ​Meet Up: The Rambling House -- 4292 Katonah Ave, Bronx, NY 10470

​ IMPORTANT MEET UP & SIGN-UP DETAILS 

• ​Woodlawn Attendees: Please arrive no later than 12:45 PM to check in.

• ​Riverdale Shuttle Riders: You MUST meet at KRVC (505 West 236th St, Bronx, NY 10463) at 12:00 PM! The bus is leaving at 12:15 PM sharp. 

​Limited Shuttle Seats: We only have 30 seats available on the bus, and they are offered on a first-come, first-served basis!

​Complimentary Perk: Each person who signs up will receive a FREE tote bag!

​This event is brought to you by WHAM (Woodlawn Heights Alliance of Merchants) and is funded and supported by NYC Dept of Small Business Services through a grant received by KRVC (Kingsbridge-Riverdale-Van Cortlandt Development Corporation). Thank you for supporting our local community!



​ Sign up now! Email: LAURA4BRONX@GMAIL.COM

​When signing up, you MUST mention if you plan to meet us at Woodlawn (Rambling House) OR if you need a seat on the Riverdale Shuttle. Space is limited so please RSVP as soon as possible. Please note all attendees must be 21+. The maximum number of guests per reservation is 2. Thank you for your understanding. 

​Come celebrate the holiday spirit with us! 

​#Woodlawn #BronxEvents #SupportSmallBusiness #HolidayMarket #ATasteofWoodlawn #WHAM #NYCSBS #KRVC

 Please click on the link to donate. Your contribution ensures that KRVC can continue with our programming. Thank you! 



https://www.505bx.org/donate.html

Look forward to seeing you!

505BX.org

NYCHCC and Fordham University Master of Science in Cyber Security Scholarship

 

Learn More About this Scholarship