Armored Car Employee and Two Others Indicted for Theft of Over $500,000 from Armored Car on Long Island

Armored Car Employee and Two Others Indicted for Theft of Over $500,000 from Armored Car on Long Island

Armored Car Employee and Two Others Indicted for Theft of Over $500,000 from Armored Car on Long Island

U.S. Attorney’s Office
Eastern District of New York
21 December 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two Defendants Also Face Obstruction of Justice Charge

Earlier today, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Central Islip charging Alexis Laguerra, Raymond Soto, also known as “Rambo,” and his father, Raymond Soto, also known as “Razor,” with bank larceny in connection with the theft of $510,000 from an armored car in Valley Stream on November 2, 2018. Raymond Soto (Sr.) was arrested this morning, and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon before Magistrate Judge A. Kathleen Tomlinson. Laguerra was previously arrested on a complaint, and was released on bail. Raymond Soto (Jr.) is a fugitive.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the charges.

“As alleged, Laguerra was a trusted employee of GardaWorld who used his knowledge of the armored car company’s operations to steal more than $500,000,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue. “I commend our partners in the FBI and Nassau County Police Department for their work bringing the defendants to justice and proving once again that crime does not pay.”

“As alleged, Alexis Laguerra broke his employer’s trust, conspiring with the Sotos to steal an armored car and more than half a million dollars,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney. “As today’s arrests indicate, the FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to finding those responsible for committing theft and ensuring that they face justice for their crimes.”

“The arrest of defendants Soto, Laguerra and Soto is another example of exceptional investigative work by multiple law enforcement agencies to bring closure to a major case,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder. “These defendants showed little regard for the safety of our residents, the bank and Garda employees, thus stealing over $500,000 from an armored car in a calculated heist. I would like to congratulate all members and agencies on a job well done.”

As alleged in the indictment and complaint, the defendants stole bank funds contained in three bags inside the GardaWorld armored car. Two employees of GardaWorld, Laguerra and John Doe #1, were working as the driver of the armored car and messenger, respectively. Their assignment that night was to empty ATM machines at bank branches and refill each ATM machine with “fresh money” of between $99,800 to $275,000. On November 2, 2018, upon arrival at a bank on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream at 2:22 a.m., Laguerra and John Doe #1 exited the armored car and entered the bank. The unoccupied armored car was then stolen and later recovered nearby. Additionally, Laguerra and Raymond Soto (Jr.) had an agreement to destroy text messages they had exchanged setting up the theft. Earlier this morning, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Sotos’ residence, and recovered an undetermined amount of cash believed to be proceeds of the theft.

The charges in the complaint and indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the bank larceny count. Defendants Laguerra and Raymond Soto (Jr.) also face up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to obstruct justice charge.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Charles P. Kelly and Madeline O’Connor are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendants:

ALEXIS LAGUERRA
Age: 30
Brooklyn, New York

RAYMOND SOTO, also known as “Rambo”
Age: 48
Richmond Hill, Queens

RAYMOND SOTO, also known as “Razor”
Age: 28
Richmond Hill, Queens

E.D.N.Y. Docket Nos. 18-MJ-1229 and 18-CR-678 (SJF)

Contact:
John Marzulli
Tyler Daniels
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323

Date	Document Name & Details	Documents
17 December 2018 filing date	United States of America v. Alexis Laguerra Complaint United States District Court, Eastern District of New York	PDF - 3.8MB - 7 pages
19 December 2018 filing date	United States of America v. Alexis Laguerra, Raymond Soto, and Raymond Soto Indictment United States District Court, Eastern District of New York	PDF - 3.3MB - 4 pages