NEW YORK — Eight men from the Bronx have been charged with involvement in a two-year string of beer thefts targeting rail yards and warehouses in the Northeastern U.S.. The thefts netted hundreds of thousands of dollars of beer; those involved face charges carrying maximum penalties ranging from five years to life in prison, according to a Wednesday announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan.
Six of the men were arrested Wednesday, one is in state custody in Connecticut, and one remains at large. Their theft ring mostly targeted Corona and Modelo beer shipped from Mexico, with thefts in locations including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
The New York Times reports that, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday, Jose Cesari — the man still at large — is accused of leading what prosecutors call the “Beer Theft Enterprise.” They say he recruited other participants via Instagram posts, one of which “guaranteed” those hired would make “100k+ in a month” through the “beer train method.”
Those involved would break into a yard or warehouse, sometimes by cutting through fencing, then drive a truck onto the property. At rail yards, they would break the lock on cars carrying pallets of beer, load the beer on to the truck, take it to the Bronx, and sell it to unidentified buyers. Those participating were usually paid hundreds of dollars for a night’s work, the U.S. Attorney’s office alleges.
Cesari, 27, faces the most serious charge — carrying or using a firearm in a violent crime, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. He faces six other counts including conspiracy to steal from interstate or foreign shipments by carrier. Also charged are Luis Izquierdo, 40; Kemar Bonitto, 38; Antonio Gonzalez, 33; Miguel Cintron, 32; Wakeim Johnson, 31; Deylin Martinez-Guerrero, 28; and Justin Bruno, 23. All face the conspiracy charge; three face one or more additional charges.
“For years, the Beer Theft Enterprise has operated brazenly,” U.S. Attorney Damien Williams said, “allegedly breaking into rail yards and beverage distribution facilities throughout the northeast and filling U-Haul box trucks to the brim with cases of beer. That dangerous and disruptive conduct — sometimes allegedly accompanied by the threat of violence — has left several beverage distribution and railroad companies ailing.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, CSX police, and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police were involved in the investigation.
“CSX is committed to protecting the safety of its property and that of its customers,” said Sean Douris, CSX chief of police, public safety, and infrastructure protection. “We take criminal activity very seriously. Rail yards are privately owned property and unauthorized activity is considered criminal trespassing and violators will be prosecuted. CSX appreciates the valuable partnerships we have with federal and local law enforcement agencies in New York, and across our network, who are crucial when it comes to investigating incidents and prosecuting individuals responsible for theft.”
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