Freddy Arias Zapata, accused of multiple thefts involving luxury items and cash from vehicles, has been returned to Queens through the extradition process to face his charges. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that Zapata, who previously failed to appear in court while out on bail, now faces additional indictments related to his absence. He has been charged with bail jumping, an E felony, and is being arraigned on four counts connected to missing a scheduled court appearance earlier this year.
Zapata currently faces 14 open cases, not including the bail jumping indictment, all of which are classified as non-bail eligible. In a statement obtained by the Queens District Attorney's office, District Attorney Melinda Katz noted that failing to appear in court affects the legal process. She stated, "Failing to appear undermines the integrity of our system, denies victims their opportunity for justice and circumvents accountability," outlining her office’s position on individuals who do not attend scheduled court appearances.
The indictment alleges that Zapata targeted vehicles in multiple Queens neighborhoods, including Jackson Heights, Ridgewood, Elmhurst, and Kew Gardens. He is charged with stealing various items, such as a $1,500 Coach purse with AirPods, credit cards, and eyewear; house keys and wallets from a pickup truck; Gucci shoes and Chanel glasses from a Toyota Sienna; and $5,000 in cash from a Jeep Wrangler, among other items.
Zapata was arrested in California on August 20, after remaining at large for a period of time. He was extradited to New York on October 8. Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino ordered that he remain in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for January 7, 2026. If convicted on the bail jumping charges, he could face a sentence ranging from 5⅓ to 16 years in prison.
Queens County has recorded a significant number of bail jumping arrests this year, including 371 felony arrests and 688 misdemeanor arrests. The cases have been handled by the Queens District Attorney’s NYPD Squad, led by Lieutenant Christopher Kehoe, and the prosecution team under Assistant District Attorney Rachel Shulman.
