Some Headlight Thieves Finally Caught!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
Some Headlight Thieves Finally Caught!!!!!!!!!!
Great news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They've finally caught some headlight thieves in Staten Island, NY! Has anyone else read any articles like this? Turns out that newer Maximas with HIDs are a HUGE target too. The guys they caught were only stealing them from Maximas, but I still think it's soooooooooooooo amazing that they caught them. I copied and pasted the article below. Anyone want to have a meet in front of the court the day these guys have to go before the judge? 
--------------Beginning of Article---------------------------
3 arrested in theft of headlights
Friday, June 20, 2003
By DINA V. MONTES
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
If you didn't receive your copy of the Daily News yesterday, there's a good reason.
Cops arrested three Brooklyn men early yesterday morning for stealing high-intensity headlights as they covered their route in Great Kills.
Authorities say Carlos Planco and Jose Aquino, both 23, and Dennis Luzon, 18, were delivering papers in their Honda Civic when they snatched a pair of high-intensity headlights -- which cost $750 each -- from a Nissan Maxima parked at Greencroft Avenue at 3:36 a.m.
The theft was witnessed by a vigilant neighbor, who called 911. Police Officers David McGill and Sean Clark of the Staten Island Auto Larceny Unit quickly responded and stopped the threesome seven blocks away at Fieldway Avenue.
Inside the Honda Civic, cops found the Maxima headlights, along with another stolen pair of headlights. There were stacks of Daily News newspapers on the back seat, authorities said.
Police believe the men used the paper route to scan the area for cars carrying the expensive headlights. Cops were so far unable to determine which of the three men is employed by the newspaper. The Daily News did not return calls from the Advance.
The three Brooklyn men were charged with criminal possession of stolen property, but may face more charges in the future as part of an ongoing investigation by the auto crimes unit, which is examining other crimes possibly committed by the trio.
Planco, Aquino and Luzon are scheduled to be arraigned today in Stapleton Criminal Court.
Yesterday's incident is part of an increasing number of thefts of high-intensity headlights on Staten Island. In February, cops arrested Chris Ziegler, 20, of Arrochar, and his partner, Arthur Tkach, 18, of Brooklyn, for stealing lights from more than 70 Nissan Maximas during a four-month crime spree in the borough.
Unlike car stereos, high-intensity headlights can be popped out of a vehicle using a simple screwdriver. Authorities say the most valuable part of the headlight is the bulb, which fits most cars. The street value is estimated to be around $200 a pair.
Although many cars carry the flashy, expensive headlights, thieves tend to target late-model Nissan Maximas, which are exclusively equipped with high-intensity headlights and are a popular sedan.
"I've had my headlights stolen twice in the last six months," said a disgruntled Nissan Maxima owner and Sunnyside resident, who did not wish to be identified. "You can't get regular headlights in these cars. You have to buy the high-intensity lights. It doesn't make sense."
Nissan of Staten Island in Grasmere, which also sells auto parts, has had a lot of requests for the expensive headlights, said a worker who wished not to be identified.
"We've been receiving a lot of these calls lately from Maxima owners," he said. "The bulbs are what the thieves are after."
Detective Greg Silverman of the Staten Island Auto Squad also participated in yesterday's arrest.
Dina V. Montes is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at montes@siadvance.com.
--------------End of Article---------------------------
--------------Beginning of Article---------------------------
3 arrested in theft of headlights
Friday, June 20, 2003
By DINA V. MONTES
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
If you didn't receive your copy of the Daily News yesterday, there's a good reason.
Cops arrested three Brooklyn men early yesterday morning for stealing high-intensity headlights as they covered their route in Great Kills.
Authorities say Carlos Planco and Jose Aquino, both 23, and Dennis Luzon, 18, were delivering papers in their Honda Civic when they snatched a pair of high-intensity headlights -- which cost $750 each -- from a Nissan Maxima parked at Greencroft Avenue at 3:36 a.m.
The theft was witnessed by a vigilant neighbor, who called 911. Police Officers David McGill and Sean Clark of the Staten Island Auto Larceny Unit quickly responded and stopped the threesome seven blocks away at Fieldway Avenue.
Inside the Honda Civic, cops found the Maxima headlights, along with another stolen pair of headlights. There were stacks of Daily News newspapers on the back seat, authorities said.
Police believe the men used the paper route to scan the area for cars carrying the expensive headlights. Cops were so far unable to determine which of the three men is employed by the newspaper. The Daily News did not return calls from the Advance.
The three Brooklyn men were charged with criminal possession of stolen property, but may face more charges in the future as part of an ongoing investigation by the auto crimes unit, which is examining other crimes possibly committed by the trio.
Planco, Aquino and Luzon are scheduled to be arraigned today in Stapleton Criminal Court.
Yesterday's incident is part of an increasing number of thefts of high-intensity headlights on Staten Island. In February, cops arrested Chris Ziegler, 20, of Arrochar, and his partner, Arthur Tkach, 18, of Brooklyn, for stealing lights from more than 70 Nissan Maximas during a four-month crime spree in the borough.
Unlike car stereos, high-intensity headlights can be popped out of a vehicle using a simple screwdriver. Authorities say the most valuable part of the headlight is the bulb, which fits most cars. The street value is estimated to be around $200 a pair.
Although many cars carry the flashy, expensive headlights, thieves tend to target late-model Nissan Maximas, which are exclusively equipped with high-intensity headlights and are a popular sedan.
"I've had my headlights stolen twice in the last six months," said a disgruntled Nissan Maxima owner and Sunnyside resident, who did not wish to be identified. "You can't get regular headlights in these cars. You have to buy the high-intensity lights. It doesn't make sense."
Nissan of Staten Island in Grasmere, which also sells auto parts, has had a lot of requests for the expensive headlights, said a worker who wished not to be identified.
"We've been receiving a lot of these calls lately from Maxima owners," he said. "The bulbs are what the thieves are after."
Detective Greg Silverman of the Staten Island Auto Squad also participated in yesterday's arrest.
Dina V. Montes is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at montes@siadvance.com.
--------------End of Article---------------------------
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
From: Western MA
Maxima owners have it worse than us. The '03 HID headlights are a direct drop-in replacement (housing and all) for non-HID 5th generation Maximas ('00-'03). They're stealing from their own kind. At least with ours they can't use the housing.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island / Brooklyn
Originally posted by EmuMessenger
That is a little harsh, how about a small :chainsaw: to square away the apendages that helped remove the lights...
That is a little harsh, how about a small :chainsaw: to square away the apendages that helped remove the lights...
These thieves piss me off, if I was to see one only god knows what I would do to them. I'm surpries that the cops caught up to them on time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
