Authorities on Long Island cracked down on a substantial car theft ring, indicting 13 individuals believed to be part of a group known as the "CC Boyz." The crew is accused of over 50 high-end car break-ins throughout Suffolk County over a two-year span, as reported by CBS News. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney highlighted their method, using real estate apps to scout neighborhoods.
While Tierney expressed satisfaction with the arrests, he also voiced frustration with the state's bail laws. In a statement obtained by the New York Post, he called the inability to seek bail for these offenses despite their severity the absurdity of our bail laws. The reforms passed in 2019 severely limit judges from setting bail on misdemeanors and most non-violent felonies, prompting pushback from critics who connect the policies to crime increases.
The investigation, which lasted 15 months and involved multiple agencies, used extensive video surveillance analysis and credit card records to string together the thefts and build a case against the "CC Boyz," also known to pay homage to their gang affiliations with the moniker "5L." According to Tierney, the name "CC Boyz" refers to their so-called "car checking" techniques, while "5L" is a nod to their affiliation with the Bloods street gang, as they revealed in the interviews conducted with the authorities.
Key figures in the theft ring, including Shawn Mullen, Trevon Brandon Douse, and Zio Fenner, were identified as primary contributors to the crime spree. Found in possession of an array of stolen items from key fobs to social security cards, items were kept as tokens or mementos, according to Tierney. Despite the numerous charges, state bail laws may limit the court's ability to detain the accused individuals effectively. As of the arraignments, bail has been set for only a fraction of the defendants, leaving the rest either released without bail or pending official arraignment.
Officials continue to urge residents to practice vigilance, locking their cars and not leaving valuables within easy reach of opportunistic thieves.
