New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

The Office engages in ongoing gathering and analysis of crime patterns,intelligence data, and emerging patterns in the community and utilizes a full range ofinvestigative techniques including intensive physical surveillance, use of informants andundercover operatives, sting operations, and sophisticated surveillance andinvestigative techniques, such as search warrants, wiretapping or other electroniceavesdropping and surveillance. A major emphasis in both investigations andprosecutions of organized auto crime and insurance fraud matters continues to bebuilding enterprise corruption cases, where possible, to ensure that the organizedfoundations of the crime activity are uprooted and maximum sentences are obtainedwhen possible. In addition, assigned prosecutors aggressively address individualprosecutions in the county and target them for strong dispositions and sentences,particularly because of the often discerned linkage of individual prosecutions to anoverall pattern of criminal activity.In 2009, the office's Specialized Auto Crime/Insurance Fraud Unit handled 100new cases, with 41 dispositions, including 23 felony pleas, 11 state prison sentences,four city jail sentences, and one probation sentence.Over the past several years there has been a large number of insurance fraudprosecutions and successful dispositions in this area by the specialized unit. In 2009,the unit disposed of 14 cases, in which the defendant specifically pleaded guilty to thecrime of insurance fraud, with eight of these cases disposed of with felony pleas. Inaddition, a great deal of effort was spent on following up on any licensed professionalsfound to be involved in insurance fraud schemes to ensure that they also were dealtwith administratively by their respective licensing agencies.New auto crime patterns are emerging, with an increase in the number of highendcars being stolen and exported out of state or to foreign countries. In addition, thetheft of high-end vehicles from dealership lots, the theft of vehicles for the purpose ofharvesting scrap metal, and the number of individual owner “give-up” cases are on therise, as is the use of stolen or fake identities and false documentation to purchase andobtain leases for vehicles.The use of the Internet also adds a new dynamic to the auto crime problem,making it more diffuse, complex and, therefore, often more difficult to track. Groups ofindividuals are coming together to profit from the lucrative auto crime “industry” in newways, such as using Craig’s List to sell and purchase stolen vehicles and componentparts.The reasons for the auto crime problem in Queens County are: the county has anabundance of parking lots, high-rise complexes and open areas, where vehicles may beparked for a long period of time. It also is home to two airports, both of which have longtermparking facilities. The combination of many high-quality cars; a large concentrationof auto junkyards, collision shops; and a network of highways convenient for drivingstolen cars away, also continues to make Queens fertile ground for those who engagein auto crime.NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 29