As alleged in the indictment, from January to October 2023, Ricky Paulino stole at least four Honda vehicles throughout New York City. The investigation revealed that the stolen cars were identified and selected, and on the date of the theft, Paulino and others drove in a “follow car” to the parked location of the desired vehicle. Once they arrived, Paulino would break into the desired vehicle and reprogram the vehicle’s computer system to gain control of it.

 

As alleged, in a matter of minutes, Paulino was able to steal a vehicle without sounding alarms or drawing any attention, even in a dense urban setting. Paulino was also able to reprogram the vehicle to stop recognizing the true owners’ electronic keys, so that their keys stopped working. The stolen vehicles were then transported into The Bronx. Paulino’s crimes did not stop at New York’s borders. During one of the thefts, the follow car was tracked to a location in Massachusetts where the stolen vehicle was later observed and identified.

 

The investigation further revealed that Ricky Paulino and Rahinier Paulino acted together to sell a stolen vehicle in The Bronx. The investigation included covert cameras, as well as analysis of data from cellular telephones, license plate readers, vehicle infotainment, and tracking systems.

In a 16-count indictment, Ricky Paulino is charged with grand larceny in the third degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the second and third degrees, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and conspiracy in the fifth degree. Rahinier Paulino is charged with criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in the first degree, and conspiracy in the fifth degree. If convicted, Ricky Paulino faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, and Rahinier Paulino faces a maximum of 7 years in prison.

 

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

In August 2023, James announced the convictions of six Bronx-based members of a crew responsible for over 200 burglaris of businesses in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, and on Long Island, including car dealerships.

 

James thanked the Massachusetts State Police, the Randolph Township Police Department in New Jersey, the Clinton Township Police Department in New Jersey, the Yonkers Police Department, and the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for what she said was their valuable participation and assistance in the investigation.

According to the OAG, the investigation was jointly led by NYPD Auto Crime Division’s Detective Scott Berger and OCTF Detective Luis Flores. Detective Berger works under the supervision of Sergeant Dominick Pazmino and Lieutenant Daniel Gallagher, and under the overall supervision of Inspector Robert LaPollo. Detective Flores works under the supervision of Supervising Detective Bradford Miller, OCTF Assistant Chief Ismael Hernandez and OCTF Deputy Chief Andrew Boss. The OAG’s investigation division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.

 

The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Ann Lee, with the assistance of Christine Cintron, a legal support analyst who works under the supervision of Downstate OCTF Deputy Chief Lauren Abinanti. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. The Division for Criminal Justice is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado. Both the investigations division and the criminal justice division are overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.