DEC Issues Public Safety Information and Viewing Guidance Ahead of 2024 Solar Eclipse

 

Rare Celestial Event on April 8 Expected to Attract Thousands of Visitors to New York State

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today provided valuable tips to help the public prepare to recreate safely and responsibly as New Yorkers count down the days to the highly anticipated total solar eclipse, which occurs exactly four weeks from today. While DEC law enforcement and operations staff will be prepared for visitors, eclipse watchers are encouraged to find Adirondack destinations outside the backcountry or opt for visiting one of the many designated viewing locations across the state. Monday, April 8, 2024, the roughly 100-mile-wide path of totality across Upstate New York will begin near Jamestown, Chautauqua County, at approximately 3:16 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and exit near Plattsburgh, Clinton County, at approximately 3:29 p.m. Cities and towns within the path of totality also include Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, and Lake Placid.

 

“A total solar eclipse is one of the most captivating natural wonders on Planet Earth. In four weeks, New Yorkers from Chautauqua to the Adirondacks will have a front-row seat to this rare celestial event,” said Commissioner Seggos. “DEC, in partnership with New York State partner agencies, encourages eclipse viewers to prioritize safety by observing all rules and regulations, and at all times, to be respectful of others and our shared environment.” 

 

Preparing in advance of the eclipse day is important to ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and out-of-this-world experience. DEC encourages visitors to put safety first – to protect yourselves, loved ones, and others – while traveling and while viewing the eclipse.

 

DEC recommends eclipse enthusiasts take advantage of the numerous eclipse-viewing gatherings scheduled across the state instead of visiting State lands, particularly the Adirondack High Peaks because of the prevailing muddy conditions, especially in the backcountry and elevations above 2,500 feet. There also remains a significant chance of icy trails in some areas at this time of year that will be even more treacherous in darkness.

Check DEC's calendar of events for educational programs on the eclipse at DEC’s environmental education centers, including Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve and Environmental Education Center in suburban Buffalo and Five Rivers Environmental Education Center near Albany. People who would like to register for the dozens of events and activities hosted at New York State parks and historic sites may do so through the State Parks event calendar and the New York State Eclipse website. Other areas outside the path of totality, including New York City and Long Island, will experience 88 percent eclipse or more during the event and also have eclipse-themed events scheduled. 

 

While it is highly preferred for eclipse visitors to head to these scheduled events, remember these key safety tips and general rules for the eclipse viewing:

• Protect your eyes: Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, viewing any part of the sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury. Some of the best ways to view a solar eclipse include through a pinhole projector where you look at a projected image through a pinhole in cardboard paper, or by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source. Regular sunglasses, polarized or otherwise, are not a safe replacement for solar eclipse glasses. Do not walk or drive while wearing eclipse glasses. The glasses are specially designed for viewing the eclipse. Further information about safe viewing can be found on the American Astronomical Society website.
• Road safety: Traffic volume is expected to be very high on the day of the eclipse. Plan on staying in one place for the day and allow for plenty of extra travel time.
• Use 511NY for travel conditions. Streets or bridges may be closed and extensive traffic jams are possible. 511NY apps can be downloaded on Apple and Android 
• Pack vehicles with water, fuel, medications, and food.
• Do not stop to view the eclipse along the roadway, especially interstates, parkways, and freeways. Choose a safe viewing destination off the road and arrive early.
• Observing all rules and regulations when visiting State lands: All State land regulations remain in effect in the days leading up to, during, and after the eclipse. Anyone visiting State Forests or Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Park must observe all designated rules and regulations to protect fellow visitors as well as the forest environment, including restrictions on group sizes.
• Because large groups are more likely to have an impact on trails and other natural resources, groups of more than 20 people and those that wish to visit state land for weddings, filmmaking, research, and other uses must get a Temporary Revocable Permit (TRP) from a DEC land manager. Note that both the High Peaks Wilderness area and the Catskills Wilderness area have lower group size limits.
• In the Adirondacks and Catskills, mud season is late March through May and DEC recommends staying on trails below 2,500 feet to protect the resource and the recreating public. For more, see DEC’s Spring Recreation tips.
• Regulations vary for Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), but still require TRPs. Overnight camping and fires, except for cooking or personal warmth, are prohibited in WMAs. Also prohibited are motorized vehicles like trucks, cars, motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles.
• Eclipse, fire safety, and the New York State Burn Ban: The New York State Burn Ban begins March 16 and runs through May 14. It will be in effect during the 2024 eclipse. The annual burn ban began in 2009 and is enforced to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened seasonal conditions for wildfires. This season, extra vigilance is important because the past winter season was warmer and drier than normal, leaving dormant vegetation from last year exposed and susceptible to fire. For more information, visit https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2024/2/dec-reminds-new-yorkers-annual-residential-brush-burning-prohibition-starts-march-16. 

For the last 17 months, an interagency task force, comprised of nearly two dozen State agencies and authorities, has been collaborating on plans to ensure a safe and memorable viewing experience for New York State’s residents and visitors. It is focused on building awareness of the State as a prime location to experience the eclipse by gathering important safety and preparedness information, amplifying and supporting region-specific viewing activities, and maintaining regular communication with local governments and municipalities, especially those within the path of totality. New York’s public safety efforts align with the State’s normal jurisdictional role over state lands and State roads and support local governments in their planning and decision making in accordance with their own codes, laws, and needs as this exciting event approaches.

 

Public safety challenges for such an event include traffic management, communications capabilities, and public health and safety. State, county, and local public safety and emergency management efforts are being tailored to the anticipated needs of those who come to view the eclipse from both inside and outside the state.

 

Visitors who do choose to hike on state lands as part of their eclipse plans should review DEC’s Hike Smart NY web page before visiting trails. Also notable is that this time of year, darkness comes earlier than sunset in many backcountry and remote areas, so it is critical that visitors prepare themselves with overnight and extra gear. In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1, Forest Ranger Dispatch at 1-833-NYS-RANGERS, or ECO Dispatch at 1-844-DEC-ECOS. 

 

In addition, DEC offers more than 100 newsletter topics, including information about fishing, boating, hiking, environmental tips, and regional newsletters, which will provide region-specific details about the eclipse as the event draws near. DEC encourages anyone interested to subscribe to DEC Delivers newsletter service at https://dec.ny.gov/news/dec-delivers. For more information about how to best experience the eclipse in New York State, visit www.iloveny.com/eclipse.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES NEW ALL-TIME HIGH TOTAL JOBS RECORD, ANNOUNCES $85 MILLION DELIVERED TO SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH GROUNDBREAKING OPPORTUNITY FUND

 

City Now Has More Than 4.3 Million Jobs, Nearly 300,000 Jobs Created Since Beginning of Adams Administration

 

More than 1,000+ Businesses Served in Historic Small Business Services Program, Nearly 80 Percent of Loans Awarded to Minority- or Women-Owned Businesses

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kevin D. Kim today celebrated that New York City has set another all-time high for the total number of jobs ever in the city’s history, with 4,730,066 total jobs, according to new data released by the New York State Department of Labor.

 

As part of his administration’s celebration of the city’s economic resurgence and efforts to build more equitable opportunities, Mayor Adams also announced progress on his historic “NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund.” Through the fund, SBS and partners have supported 1,046 businesses with loans totaling more than $85 million in affordable low-interest capital. The fund is the city’s largest-ever public-private partnership fund directed at small businesses.

 

“When we came into office, we had a clear mission: protect public safety, revitalize our economy as quickly as possible, and make our city more livable for everyday New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, our streets are safer, our sidewalks are cleaner, and we have more jobs than any time in our city’s history. This is what it looks like to stand with working New Yorkers, and to build a fairer economy. We will continue fight for a city where all New Yorkers share in our prosperity.”

 

One in seven small businesses have started since the start of the Adams administration, along with nearly 300,000 jobs being created. SBS’s Workforce1 Career Center system has also helped hire and place more than 44,000 New Yorkers in jobs during that same time period. According to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), since the first few months of 2022, small businesses with fewer than 50 employees have accounted for 45 percent of New York City’s overall employment growth and have contributed more than $3.2 billion in direct economic output to the city.

 

The Small Business Opportunity Fund launched in January 2023 with $75 million committed by the city and partners, including Goldman Sachs and Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, offering loans of up to $250,000 to eligible small businesses with a market-leading interest rate of four percent. The fund was designed to broaden access to capital for historically-underserved communities by removing barriers such as application fees and minimum credit scores. As a result, approximately 80 percent of the fund’s loans were awarded to minority- or women-owned businesses, including 69 percent to businesses owned by Black, indigenous, and people of color-owned firms, more than double the national average for Fiscal Year 2023. Additionally, 59 percent of loans were disbursed in low- to-medium income communities. Loans awarded from the fund averaged $80,000 and are being used by small business owners to refinance existing high-interest debt, expand into new storefronts, hire more New Yorkers, and fund other improvements to their enterprises.

 

“In recovering the nearly one million jobs we lost during the pandemic – more than a year ahead of schedule – and now setting a new record for the most total jobs in our city’s history, it’s clear that New York City is back and better than ever. But our work is not finished until every New Yorker can take advantage of the opportunities our city has to offer,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “In addition to investing in our young people, embarking on a historic community hiring effort, and helping New Yorkers keep money in their pockets through the Earned Income Tax Credit, we are also making big investments in our small businesses. Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles preventing our local entrepreneurs and business owners from fully realizing their potential, and this is especially true for our minority- and women-owned business owners. I am grateful to Commissioner Kim and our partners at Goldman Sachs and the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth for their leadership in delivering record amounts of capital to more than a thousand businesses through the NYC Opportunity Fund.”

 

“The $85 million Opportunity Fund made a real impact on our neighborhoods and commercial corridors at a time when they needed it most,” said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “These loans aren’t just dollar signs, but investments in the people and communities that make New York City the place we all know and love. Each of the more than 1,000 businesses owners we awarded loans to has a story to tell, families they cherish, and neighborhoods that they support. I want to thank Goldman Sachs, the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and all of our Community Development Financial Institutions’ partners for making the largest public-private partnership in our city’s history possible and for joining us in building the City of Yes for small businesses.”

 

“Since the start of this administration, Mayor Adams has strategically and effectively accelerated our economic recovery — and with another all-time jobs record shattered, it’s clear that New York City is not only back, but it’s better than ever,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “Thanks to Mayor Adams’ economic agenda, we continue to see the positive effects ripple across the city, and NYCEDC will continue to work across the public and private sectors to foster an inclusive economy and make New York City the best place in the world to live, work, and play.”

 

Opportunity Fund recipients represent businesses from all five boroughs, and reflect a diverse pool of business owners across the city, including:

• Jonathan Melo at Valley of Beracah Imprint in the Bronx, who used his loan of $26,110 from Ascendus to fulfill his dream of building a successful business and passing it on to his children. Melo’s loan helped him increase capacity at his embroidering and apparel shop so he could meet demand in his community. Fourteen percent of loans were awarded to Bronx businesses, representing 147 Bronx businesses served with a total of $10 million in Opportunity Fund capital.
• Chef Jae Lee at Nowon in Brooklyn, who used his loan of $250,000 from Renaissance EDC to expand to a market in Bushwick. The Opportunity Fund provided Lee with critical capital that was otherwise inaccessible from traditional lenders and enabled him to employ dozens of New Yorkers across two boroughs. A total of 260 Brooklyn businesses received $22.8 million in Opportunity Fund capital.
• Sarina and Elias Prasabi at Buunni Coffee in Manhattan, who used their loan of $100,000 from Accompany Capital to open their own coffee roastery for their own business, as well as make it available for other coffee shops in the surrounding area. The couple emigrated from Ethiopia and are proud to be able to share their home country’s coffee culture with an even wider audience. More than 300 businesses in Manhattan received a total of $27 million in Opportunity Fund capital.
• Shahadev Khadka at Green Tara Market in Queens, who used his loan of $100,000 from Accompany Capital to expand the inventory at his supermarket. An immigrant from Nepal, Khadka successfully managed several stores before deciding to take the leap and open his first storefront in New York City. More than 300 businesses in Queens received a total of $23 million in Opportunity Fund capital.
• Chi Gibson at Chi Aesthetics on Staten Island, who used her loan of $100,000 from Pursuit to increase staffing and improve day-to-day operations at her health spa. A West African immigrant, Dr. Gibson faced difficulties finding capital from traditional lenders until she found the Opportunity Fund. A total of 33 Staten Island businesses received $2.6 million in Opportunity Fund capital.

Eight community development financial institutions – Accompany Capital, Ascendus, BOC Capital Corp., Harlem Entrepreneurial Fund (HEF), Grow America, Pursuit, Renaissance Small Business Services, and Trufund – administered loans in partnership with SBS. With the Opportunity Fund now closed, small businesses can continue to receive free one-on-one financing support from SBS to connect with affordable resources, including through the NYC Funds Finder, an online marketplace bringing together small businesses and local Community Development Financial Institutions on one platform.

 

“The Opportunity Fund has helped me buy t-shirts, hoodies, and promotional items to start contracts for agencies such as the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,” said Jonathan Melo, owner, Valley of Beracah Imprint in the Bronx. “Now, I am able to expand my business to bid on higher contracts due to the working capital I received from the Opportunity Fund.”

 

“I really wanted to open a restaurant that honored both cultures — my Korean culture and my New York upbringing,” said Jae Lee, owner and chef, Nowon in Brooklyn. “The Opportunity Fund helped me expand into a new market and gave me the capital to hire the right management team and staffing. With the success of my first and second restaurant, I think there is more of an opportunity for us to represent Asian-American flavors across New York City.”

 

“The Opportunity Fund loan helped my business, which I used for inventory plus equipment,” said Shahadev Khadka, owner, Green Tara Market in Queens. “That helped me a lot to get through the pandemic. I had a very difficult time, and when I got the Opportunity Fund loan, that helped me a lot.”

 

Ford Motor Company Agrees to Pay $365M to Settle Customs Civil Penalty Claims Relating to Misclassified and Under-Valued Vehicles

 

Ford Motor Company has agreed to pay the United States $365 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Tariff Act of 1930 by misclassifying and understating the value of hundreds of thousands of its Transit Connect vehicles, the Justice Department announced today.

The settlement resolves allegations that Ford devised a scheme to avoid higher duties by misclassifying cargo vans. Specifically, the government alleged that from April 2009 to March 2013, Ford imported Transit Connect cargo vans from Turkey into the United States and presented them to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with sham rear seats and other temporary features to make the vans appear to be passenger vehicles. These temporary rear seats were never intended to be, and never were, used to carry passengers. Rather, the government alleged, Ford included these seats and features to avoid paying the 25% duty rate applicable to cargo vehicles. By classifying the vans as vehicles for the transport of passengers, Ford instead paid a duty rate of just 2.5%. Ford submitted entry papers to CBP declaring these vehicles as classifiable under tariff heading 8703 as “Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons.” After customs clearance, each of these Transit Connect vehicles was immediately stripped of its rear seats and returned to its original identity as a two-seat cargo van. 

The settlement also resolves allegations that, from April 2009 through August 2013, Ford avoided paying import duties by under-declaring to CBP the value of certain Transit Connect vehicles.

“When companies misclassify imports to avoid paying what they owe, they will be held accountable,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer. “Today’s settlement is a victory for American taxpayers and for our efforts to combat trade fraud and ensure compliance with United States trade laws. Companies that attempt to evade customs duties with sham representations and workarounds will not be rewarded.”

“Importers have an obligation to truthfully declare the nature of their products and pay the duties that are owed,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The government will not permit companies to evade duties by adding sham features to their products and then misclassifying them.”

“This settlement, which is one of the largest customs penalty settlements in recent history, demonstrates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection will pursue even the largest companies to ensure that all importers follow the rules; our intent is to enforce the customs laws fairly, which means that non-compliance is not an option for anyone,” said Senior Official Performing Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller of CBP. “The partnership between CBP and the Justice Department provides a critical safeguard to protect the revenue of the United States.” 

To combat trade fraud, including avoidance of import duties, the Justice Department created a Trade Fraud Task Force. The Task Force partners with CBP and other law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with United States trade laws. 

The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between CBP and the Civil Division’s Commercial Litigation Branch’s International Field Office and National Courts Section.

Attorneys Beverly Farrell and Justin Miller of the Civil Division’s International Trade Field Office and Claudia Burke, Joshua Kurland, Patricia McCarthy and Frank White of the Civil Division’s National Courts Section handled this matter.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only. There has been no determination of liability.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Two Capital Region Residents Indicted for $1 Million Medicaid Transportation Fraud Scheme

 

The two principles of Phinaliz Communications LLC, Philip Mtui and Mbaga Kaiza were indicted for their alleged role in a scheme to steal more than $1 million from Medicaid by filing false and inflated reimbursements for transportation services, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today on behalf of the joint state, local and federal investigating agencies.

“Mtui and Kaiza’s alleged Medicaid fraud tried to undermine the integrity of a vital program,” DiNapoli said. “It also diverted funds that should have gone to legitimate health care needs and services for vulnerable New Yorkers. Our joint investigation will ensure justice is served in this case and I hope it is a warning to anyone who would try and defraud New York’s Medicaid system."

Oneonta Police Chief Christopher Witzenburg said, “This operation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished through interagency cooperation. The positive impact of which has resulted in a significant decrease in funding that fueled large scale substance abuse and quality of life issues in our community.”

“This joint investigation revealed that the defendants sought to obtain funds from the Medicaid program to which they were not entitled,” stated Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG works with our law enforcement partners to ensure that individuals who become involved in fraud schemes that exploit federal health care programs to satisfy their own greed are held accountable.”

The defendants were partners in Phinaliz Communications, an Otsego County-based transportation provider for Medicaid recipients. Patients can use participating transportation services, which are billed to Medicaid, for legitimate medical appointments. Over the course of four years, Mtui, 46, and Kaiza, 47, allegedly sought and received payments for rides that never happened and billed multiple times for rides that did occur. In some instances, they allegedly paid kickbacks to Medicaid enrollees for using their transportation service and providing their patient information to help facilitate the fraud. It is estimated that they stole more than $1 million from Medicaid.

Numerous local, state, and federal authorities assisted in the investigation that uncovered the alleged fraud, including Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, the Otsego’s County Sheriff’s Office, the Otsego County District Attorney's Office, the Oneonta Police Department, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, the Otsego County Department of Probation, the Otsego County Department of Social Services, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, the New York State Department of Financial Services - Criminal Investigations Unit, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and the East Greenbush Police Department.

Mtui and Kaiza were charged with grand larceny in the first degree and arraigned before Judge John F. Lambert in Otsego County Court. They are due back in court on May 6.

The charges filed in this case are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.

News, updates and more from NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

SOMOS ALBANY 2024

Congratulations to the #SOMOS Board and CM Karines Reyes for a fantastic conference in Albany.  

 

Special shout out to everyone who came out and supported the ‘Merengue Tipico’ event we held in partnership with the New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus! 

LANDMARKING OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE PARK & ENSLAVED PEOPLE’S BURIAL GROUND

Thank you to the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission for your respect and due diligence in getting this accomplished. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

2024 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION CEREMONY

You are cordially invited to our 2024 Women of Distinction Celebration taking place on Thursday, March 21st at the Bronx Zoo!

Please CALL (718) 402-6130 or EMAIL CMSalamanca.events@gmail.com with your full name to reserve your spot. 

I look forward to celebrating with you!*RSVP IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND*

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Happy International Women’s Day! 

RAMADAN MUBARAK

Wishing a joyous Ramadan Mubarak to all beginning their celebrations 

Visit our District Office at: 
1070 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10459
(718) 402-6130
salamanca@council.nyc.gov

Attorney General James Announces Conviction of Bronx Car Theft Ring for Stealing 45 Cars in Six Months

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the guilty pleas and sentencing of nine members of a Bronx car theft ring for their roles in the theft and criminal possession of 45 vehicles during a six-month period from April to October 2020. The defendants carried out a systematic operation during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting cars in New York City and Westchester County that were parked on the street for days at a time. Crew members would reprogram vehicles’ computers to disable alarms and quickly gain access to the cars, which they then resold across the United States and the Dominican Republic. This prosecution was a result of a two-year joint investigation by the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) Auto Crime Division.

“These individuals took advantage of New Yorkers who stayed at home in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal some of their most valuable assets,” said Attorney General James. “Using sophisticated methods, they stole and sold cars throughout New York City and Westchester County. Now we are bringing them to justice, and I thank my partners in local law enforcement for their coordination and support in taking down this dangerous car theft ring and continuing to protect the safety of all New Yorkers.”

“These sentences are the result of New York law enforcement’s tireless efforts to remove a highly active auto theft ring from the streets of our city,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “NYPD detectives, in partnership with our colleagues on the state Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, vow to continue investigating and dismantling any such criminal operations that target innocent New Yorkers.”

Surveillance footage of crew members removing a stolen vehicle’s windshield to change the vehicle identification number

An example of a forged federal certification sticker the crew placed on a stolen vehicle

A stolen Toyota recovered in Miami destined for the Dominican Republic, shipped by defendant Norberto Pena Brito 

The takedown was a result of a two-year investigation by the Attorney General’s OCTF and NYPD’s Auto Crime Division. The investigation began in ­­­­September 2019 and included hundreds of hours of physical and covert surveillance, court-authorized wiretapping of numerous targeted phones, execution of search warrants, and the recovery of surveillance video capturing the thefts of numerous vehicles. 

The investigation, dubbed “Operation Master Key,” for the theft crew’s ability to create keys to gain access to different vehicles, revealed crew members Norberto Pena Brito, Jose Lebron Pimentel, Dariberto Fernandez Perez, and Hector Rivera were responsible for locating, stealing, altering, and reselling stolen vehicles throughout New York City and Westchester.

From April 2020 to October 2020 when New Yorkers stayed at home and parked their cars for days at a time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this crew scoped out and targeted cars to steal, primarily targeting Hondas. They obtained key code information for these vehicles from unlawful websites and created keys that allowed them to breach and steal the vehicles. Once inside a vehicle, they reprogrammed its computer system to gain control of the vehicle, disable alarms, and start the engine. In a matter of minutes, crew members were able to steal a vehicle without sounding alarms or drawing any attention, even in a dense urban setting. The theft crew was also able to reprogram the vehicle to stop recognizing the true owners’ electronic keys, so they stopped working. 

Members of this organization then transported the vehicles back to one of several lots located in the Bronx, where the vehicles were altered and the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) were changed to give the stolen cars a new identity. Crew members installed fake VIN plates on the floors of the cars that covered the true VIN plates. They also forged federal certification stickers on the cars and removed the legitimate registration stickers. Jesus Cabral was hired to remove and replace windshields and to change vehicle VINs assigned by the manufacturer. At times, Norberto Pena Brito and Jose Lebron Pimentel would also buy stolen cars from Carlos Valverde. Afterwards, crew members sold the stolen cars to their customers, including to Willy Abreu Martinez and Abdul Khan, who were two of the high-volume customers purchasing the stolen cars for resale in the United States and in the Dominican Republic. Leticia Saldivar — the owner and operator of Carmela’s Multiservice and Auto Tag in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — was recruited to obtain, organize, and file fictitious vehicle documents with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and obtained clean registrations and titles for stolen vehicles. 

Nine defendants have since pled guilty and were sentenced in Bronx Supreme Court on March 8 by Judge Guy Mitchell:

1. Norberto Pena Brito, 38, pled guilty in July 2023 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). He was sentenced to one to three years in state prison, and ordered to pay nearly $40,000 in restitution.
2. Jose Lebron Pimentel 42, pled guilty in February 2024 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony). He was sentenced to one year in state prison.
3. Dariberto Fernandez Perez, 33, pled guilty in June 2023 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). He was sentenced to one to three years in state prison.
4. Hector Rivera, 54, pled guilty in May 2023 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). He was sentenced to five years of probation.
5. Willy Abreu Martinez, 41, pled guilty in May 2023 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). He was sentenced to five years of probation.
6. Jesus Cabral, 58, pled guilty in July 2023 to Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree (a class C felony) and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a class E felony). He was sentenced to five years of probation.
7. Carlos Valverde, 36, pled guilty in June 2022 to the Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (a class E felony). He served over two years in jail.
8. Adbul Khan, 37, pled guilty in March 2023 to Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle in the Third Degree (a class A misdemeanor). He was sentenced to six months in jail.
9. Leticia Saldivar, 39, pled guilty in February 2023 to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree (a class A misdemeanor). She was sentenced to six months in jail.

This is the latest takedown of a car theft organization by Attorney General James. In December 2023, Attorney General James and the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division charged two individuals with crimes related to theft and possession of vehicles in the Bronx. In August 2023, Attorney General James announced the convictions of six members of a crew responsible for over 200 burglaries of businesses in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, including car dealerships. In October 2022, Attorney General James and former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the takedown of a luxury vehicle theft ring in New York City.

Attorney General James thanks the NYPD’s Auto Crime Division for their partnership in this investigation. Attorney General James also thanks the Yonkers Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, the Police Department for the City of Reading, Pennsylvania, the Bureau of Police for the City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts State Police, New Jersey State Police, Miami-Dade Metro Police Department, United States Customs and Border Protection Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, Vermont Division of Motor Vehicles, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, New York Department of Motor Vehicles, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), and the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) for their valuable work and assistance in this investigation and prosecution.

The investigation was directed by NYPD Auto Crime Division’s Detective Daniel Fox (now retired) and OCTF Detective David Walsh. Detective Walsh is under the supervision of Supervising Detective Bradford Miller and the overall supervision of Assistant Chief Investigator Ismael Hernandez and Deputy Chief Investigator Andrew Boss. The OAG’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Investigator Oliver Pu-Folkes.

Governor Hochul Announces Best Ever February Performance for MTA Commuter Railroads

 

Metro-North Records Nearly Perfect On-Time Performance at 99.3% for East of Hudson Lines, Best Month in Railroad’s 41-Year History

LIRR On-Time Performance of 96.3% Marks Best February in 12 Years; High Comes One Year After Major Service Increase Associated With Grand Central Madison

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a record number of Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad trains operated on time in February. Metro-North Railroad had the best month in its history on East of Hudson service with a nearly perfect on-time performance of 99.3 percent on Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines. Metro-North was able to achieve the record on-time performance while still maintaining its aggressive infrastructure program, with crews working to complete a major switch replacement project on Grand Central Terminal’s upper level. In addition to the infrastructure work, the railroad navigated two major snow events. Combined with January’s 98.5 percent on-time performance on East of Hudson service, the first two months of 2024 are a record for Metro-North trains operating on time.

“New York leads the nation in public transportation, and our commuter rail network is moving New Yorkers at a record pace,” Governor Hochul said. “Mass transit is the most reliable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible way to travel, and we will continue our significant investments in commuter rail to make it even better.”

The LIRR’s 96.3 percent on-time performance was the best mark the railroad has posted for the month of February since 2012. The February 2024 record includes 6,400 more monthly trains, as the railroad added a historic 271 trains per day to its schedule to accompany the opening of Grand Central Madison last year.

The record month for Metro-North featured two days in which 100 percent of trains operated on time – Thursday, February 22 and Saturday, February 24. The railroad’s West of Hudson Pascack Valley Line also reported strong on-time performance for February with 97.2 percent of trains operating on time. These performance trends have continued into this month, with Metro-North trains operating 100 percent on time on Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10.