D.A. Bragg, DOI Commissioner Strauber Announce Charges Against Man Who Allegedly Possessed $115k Of Stolen Encrypted Radios from City Garbage Trucks

 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. and New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber today announced the indictment of RAMON MUNOZ, 42, for possessing dozens of stolen encrypted two-way radios worth more than $115,000 from New York City Department of Sanitation (“DSNY”) garbage trucks. MUNOZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree.1 

“As alleged, Ramon Munoz possessed more than $115,000 worth of stolen radios from New York City Department of Sanitation garbage trucks across four different boroughs. As ‘New York’s Strongest,’ the Department of Sanitation helps our city run smoothly, and Ramon Munoz threatened its effectiveness with his actions,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank the Department of Investigation for their partnership in investigating this major theft.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “This defendant is charged with possessing 37 two-way radios that were stolen from City Sanitation trucks. These devices, worth over $115,000 in total, facilitate critical employee communication, including during storms. I want to thank the City Department of Sanitation for reporting the missing radios to DOI and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for its commitment to protect the City’s critical technology from misuse.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, between March 3, 2019, and October 10, 2022, dozens of two-way radios each valued at over $3,000 were reported stolen from garbage trucks stored in 11 DSNY garages in Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.

DOI and the Manhattan D.A.’s Office jointly investigated and learned that MUNOZ had sold a number of stolen radios to buyers in online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook.

An undercover investigator purchased two stolen DSNY radios directly from MUNOZ. After a final theft of 10 DSNY radios on October 10, 2022 detectives searched MUNOZ’s apartment and recovered three additional stolen radios, including radios from both the very first and last thefts, as well as related computer and radio equipment.

Digital forensic analysis revealed that MUNOZ possessed an additional 15 stolen DSNY radios. In all, the D.A.’s Office was able to directly link 37 stolen DSNY radios to MUNOZ, totaling $118,997.92 stolen from the City of New York. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the New York City Department of Investigation.

1 The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.