Five more arrests made in stolen car, insurance fraud case

WHITE PLAINS – The arrests five people have brought to 10, the number of those arrested in connection with an auto theft ring that saw vehicles stolen in New York City and transported to Westchester County for sale and insurance fraud.

The 13-month undercover operation resulted in the recovery of 18 stolen vehicles and four cars involved in individual insurance frauds. Two of those arrested are public servants – one a New York City corrections officer and one an employee of MTA New York City Transit.

Charged most recently were Mohammad Makhalouf, 22, of Yonkers; Dina Hamil, 22, of Poughquag; Irving Richiez, 32, of New York City; Daniel Montes, 26, of Yonkers’ and Herman Benitez, 32, of Teaneck, NJ, were all charged with insurance fraud in the third degree, a felony.

Previously arrested were Milton Delacruz, 23; Jean Ramirez, 21; Steven Gil, 20; Julian Rosario, 22; and Raphy Polanco, 20, all of the Bronx.

They are all members of a Bronx car club called “The Black Knights.”