Guilty Plea In Stolen Vehicle Possession

YONKERS, NY — Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino, Jr. announced today that Jose Alicea, 40, of Yonkers, pleaded guilty to stealing a car from the Cross County Shopping Mall parking lot. Alicea was charged with:

• Third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony
• Second-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, a felony
• Possession of burglar’s tools, a misdemeanor
• Attempted petit larceny, a misdemeanor

Scarpino said, on March 26, four police officers from the Yonkers Pattern Crime Unit and two officers from the Second Precinct Anti-Crime Unit were staking out the Cross County Shopping Mall parking lots after numerous thefts from cars were reported in that area. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Around 3:15 p.m., Alicea was spotted walking through the parking lots, police said, peering into vehicles and lifting car door handles. Police said he was then observed entering a 2014 Ford Explorer that had a shattered rear passenger window. Police determined that the Ford Explorer had been reported stolen that morning from Nepperhan Avenue in Yonkers.

Alicea was arrested, and when he was searched, the police said they found in his possession a screwdriver — a tool commonly used to break into cars — and a portable GPS unit that belonged to the owner of the stolen Ford Explorer.

“To combat auto-related crimes here in Westchester, we’re seeing our partners in law enforcement stepping up patrols and doing undercover surveillance to keep thieves at bay as they find more innovative ways to swipe cars,” Scarpino said. “Thanks to the outstanding police work demonstrated by the Yonkers Police Department, this particular defendant’s activity was quickly put to a stop.”

Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said that due to the remarkable efforts of the dedicated police officers and professional collaboration with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, another perpetrator has been caught.

“The Yonkers Police Department is committed to reducing all types of crime, including property and vehicle related thefts; this latest conviction is a testament to our resolve and continued successful relationship with the DA’s Office,” he said.

Alicea, who faces three to six years in state prison, will be sentenced on Jan. 18, 2018.

Image via Shutterstock.