Former NYPD Detective Held In $10-Million Burglary Case
A former New York City police detective was part of a burglary ring that pocketed approximately $10 million in loot over several years, including $3 million worth of sunglasses, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Rafael Astacio, 41, and four others were charged Thursday with conspiracy and transporting stolen property across state lines. Astacio was also charged with illegally accessing an FBI database while working as a detective.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the 20-year veteran of the special victims division was fired this month following an Internal Affairs investigation.
“Astacio’s actions make clear that he was a police officer in name only, having sold his badge and his honor in exchange for his share of their ill-gotten gains,” U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch said.
The ring operated on Long Island between 2009 and 2012. It used traditional burglary tools like blow torches, crowbars, and technology including cellphone jammers and police scanners.
This article appeared in print on page 6 of edition of Hamodia.
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