Armored truck security guards charged with $3.6 million robbery
Valley Stream NY December 23 2018
Some of the suspects who prosecutors say were responsible for an armored truck robbery in Valley Stream appeared in court Friday.
Federal prosecutors call the robbery an inside job that also involved members of the “Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club,” founded in the 1970s in Brooklyn.
According to court documents, six people in total were involved in the robbery, but only three are now indicted: Alexis Laguerra, the driver, and Raymond Soto Sr. and Jr., known as “Razor” and “Rambo,” respectively.
In November, a Garda armored car containing $3.6 million was stolen as two employees left it unattended to fill an ATM at the HSBC branch on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream. The vehicle was found a couple of blocks away, but $500,000 was missing from it.
Soto Sr.’s wife and nephew were at Central Islip federal court Friday for his arraignment, but said nothing. Prosecutors say they found drugs, a pen gun and more than $130,000 of what’s believed to be the stolen money at the Soto household in Queens. Soto Sr.’s attorney said the money is not his client’s and that Soto Sr. has no knowledge of where it came from.
The attorney did not deny their affiliation with the motorcycle club, saying, “They ride Harleys, they do charity…it’s like joining the Elks Club.”
Prosecutors say Laguerra and Soto Jr. also helped destroy a cellphone and other evidence after the heist to try to cover up the crime.
Soto Sr. pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. His son has not yet been arrested.
Laguerra pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court and was released on $250,000 bail.
NEWS 12
