At least 14 people have been arrested in connection to a wave of motorcycle thefts that have occurred in New York City. These thieves are commonly known in Venezuela as "motochoros." Authorities shared a video of a woman being dragged violently by thieves on a motorcycle. Her purse, phone, credit cards, keys, glasses, $60 in cash and her ID were stolen.
The New York Police Department explained that in recent days there have been at least 62 phone thefts targeting women on the street and in the subway system. The situation has been traced back to a man who was overseeing the events from his Bronx apartment. He is Víctor Parra, who is still at large. According to police, Parra entered the country from Venezuela last year and appeared before a judge last December on a charge of grand theft.
'We will find you and bring you to justice'
"Most immigrants come to NYC in search of a better life. Sadly, some come to commit crimes," NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Most migrants come to NYC in search of a better life. Sadly, some come to commit crimes.
While the rest of NYC was sleeping, @NYCMayor @NYPDChiefPatrol@NYPDDetectives joined @NYPDnews investigators & specialized teams as we carried out a search warrant — booming a door and… pic.twitter.com/1KkTHQ6HYC— NYPD Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry (@NYPDDaughtry) February 5, 2024
Today we made tremendous progress in the largest robbery pattern plaguing our city. Our message is simple -- commit a crime in our city and we will find you and bring you to justice.
In addition, it was learned that authorities are working to make three more arrests. Mayor Eric Adams said that his government is working to address motorcycle crimes.
“To date, the NYPD seized more than 2,500 illegal mopeds and scooters in 2023,” Adams said during a press conference shared by CBS Austin.
"The overwhelming number of migrants and asylum seekers want to work. They want to contribute to society. We should not in any way take these criminals and state that they are the indicators of the people who are here," Adams reiterated.
