Security Employee, 2 Others Charged In LI Armored Truck Theft

Three New York City men were charged on Friday with stealing more than a half of a million dollars from an armored car in Valley Stream in November, including one man who worked for the armored car company.

Alexis Laguerra, 30, of Brooklyn; Raymond Soto, Jr., 28, of Richmond Hill; and his father, Raymond Soto, Sr., 48, also of Richmond Hill, were charged with bank larceny after authorities say they stole $510,000 from an armored car in Valley Stream on Nov. 2. Laguerra and Soto Junior were additionally charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Soto Junior was arrested Friday morning and is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon. Laguerra was previously arrested and released on bail. The senior Soto is currently a fugitive, authorities say.

“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 Richard 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.”

According to prosecutors, on Nov. 2, Laguerra was working as a driver of an armored car for GardaWorld, along with another employee, who was a messenger. Their assignment was to empty the ATMs at banks and refill them with "fresh money" of between $99,800 to $275,000. At 2:22 a.m. on Nov. 2, Laguerra and the other employee arrived at a bank on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream. The two got out of the armored car and entered the bank. While they were inside, the armored car was stolen, and was later found nearby.

Prosecutors say that Laguerra and Soto Junior had an agreement to destroy text messages that they had exchanged to set up the theft. On Friday morning, police officers searched the Soto's home and found cash that they believe to be from the theft.

If convicted, each of the three men could face up to 10 years in prison for the theft. Laguerra and Soto Junior could also face up to 20 years in jail for conspiracy to obstruct justice.

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