New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

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motor vehicles are assigned to this unit and misdemeanor auto theft cases continue tobe prosecuted by various ADAs assigned to the local criminal courts but the membersof the MVTIFP unit advise these ADAs on procedures and prosecution strategies, andintelligence gained as a result of misdemeanor prosecutions is provided to the unit toassist with its investigations.The ADA assigned to the MVTIFP unit, fully evaluates all of the cases referred tothe program by police agencies, advises police on procedures, and meets with officersto discuss programmatic issues of mutual concern. The Investigator assigned to theMVTIFP unit enhances the prosecution of cases by interviewing witnesses, evaluatingevidence, serving subpoenas, checking defendant prior criminal histories to identifyrepeat offenders, and works closely with police agency personnel assigned by theirrespective departments to investigate the target crimes. The Economic Crimes bureauchief advises and supervises both of the personnel assigned to the program, chairsmeetings with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and local representativesof the Insurance Frauds Bureau of the New York State Insurance Department, andprovides input in developing strategies and setting priorities for the program. Theprincipal members of the Auto Theft Task Force include the District Attorney's Office,the Rochester Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the GreecePolice Department, the Gates Police Department, the New York State Police, the stateInsurance Fraud Bureau, and the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The Auto TheftTask Force assists other department members as well as outside agencies with anymotor vehicle-related theft or motor vehicle insurance fraud investigation. The TaskForce also utilizes intelligence information to initiate investigations into chop shoplocations, retagging operations and motor vehicle theft rings.A DCJS comparison of reported motor vehicle thefts during 2008 and 2009shows a 21% decrease from 1,698 to 1,341 and appears to support the idea that theanti-auto theft program first begun in 2004 under this grant program is having an impacton the incidence of this type of crime in Monroe County.The 2009 Statewide Plan of Operation for Motor Vehicle Theft reported that therewere 209 suspected instances of motor vehicle insurance fraud in Monroe County in2008, as opposed to 309 such suspected incidents in 2004, a decrease of 32% sincethe start of project operations. In 2009, seven new cases were referred to the DA’soffice.Monroe County has experienced an increase in the number of larcenies fromlocked and unlocked vehicles. Numerous arrests have been made, with someoffenders receiving state prison time.Law enforcement agencies in the county also have been directed to chargedefendants with auto stripping, when appropriate, in cases of auto theft as well aslarcenies from vehicles.NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 66
In June of 2009, members of the Task Force received information regarding thepossible whereabouts of motorcycles, and assorted motorcycle parts, that may havebeen taken during the commission of a burglary nine months earlier in a residentialgarage in the city of Rochester while the victim was serving in Iraq as a member of theU.S. Army.Acting on this new information the District Attorney investigator assigned to theTask Force assisted other Task Force members in conducting interviews, and obtainingdepositions, which subsequently led to the issuance of a search warrant for the locationwhere it was believed that the stolen property might be.On June 19, 2009, the District Attorney investigator, along with other members ofthe Task Force, executed the search warrant at a single-family residence located in thetown of Irondequoit. Recovered as a result were six motorcycles (Triumph, Honda,Suzuki), seven motorcycle frames (BSA, Honda, Triumph), six swing arms, as well asother assorted parts from these motorcycles.For the second consecutive year, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Officealso hosted the Western Region Work Group meeting of the Motor Vehicle Theft andInsurance Fraud Statewide Work Group.Monroe County MVTIFPP Operational StrategyThe Auto Theft Task Force in Monroe County utilizes intelligence information andcollaboration among its members to initiate investigations into chop shop locations,retagging operations and motor vehicle theft rings. The District Attorney's MVTIFPProgram also involves a coordinated effort with the Rochester Police Department, theMonroe County Sheriff’s Office, the various town and village police departments, andthe State Police in collecting and sharing intelligence on motor vehicle theft trendscountywide. All of the local police agencies, along with the District Attorneys Officealready share a common offender database (the MoRIS system), thus furtherstreamlining the sharing of information. All of the police agencies involved will alsoutilize SAFETNet. Since 2004, the District Attorney’s Office has had a policy thatseverely restricts plea reductions in serious felony cases, and this policy has beenextended to repeat offenders charged with the types of crimes targeted by this program.By continuing to seek stiffer penalties for auto-related offenses, and by reducing thenumber of plea reductions, the District Attorney’s Office reinforces the work of police intrying to reduce the incidence of these offenses. The police agencies involved alsoimplement their own additional programs to educate the public on ways to reduce motorvehicle thefts. Information is also solicited from citizens willing to disclose anyknowledge they have about persons committing the targeted crimes.The overall strategy also utilizes public service announcements as well as othermedia to advise the public about the high number of vehicle thefts due to keys left invehicles. In conjunction with this, citations will be issued for this offense in an effort tocurb this practice.NYS DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES MVTIFP BOARD / ANNUAL REPORT 2009 Page 67
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Table of ContentsPageI. Introductio
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All of the tasks outlined above are
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addition, officers representing 16
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1000Motor Vehicle Theft Rate/100K P
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The Division of Criminal JusticeSer
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These crimes add an estimated 10% t
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per 100,000), Richmond County (111.
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2. Methods for combating the proble
Page 20 and 21: SUMMARY OF BOARD ACTIVITY ON Septem
Page 22 and 23: DCJS StaffRon DickensVal Friedlande
Page 24 and 25: Western Region AgenciesAmountApplic
Page 26 and 27: VI. 2009 Grant Program Descriptions
Page 28 and 29: According to the New York City Poli
Page 30 and 31: in 2009, an enterprise corruption i
Page 32 and 33: corporation that defrauded the city
Page 34 and 35: In the area of insurance fraud, muc
Page 36 and 37: Despite warnings and public service
Page 38 and 39: Patrol Borough Manhattan North repo
Page 40 and 41: confines of Brooklyn South and the
Page 42 and 43: ecovered with seats, doors, and oth
Page 44 and 45: Borough Queens North are evidenced
Page 46 and 47: FAIS STRATEGIES• Use confidential
Page 48 and 49: motor vehicle insurance fraud are d
Page 50 and 51: investigation and utilized all reso
Page 52 and 53: the help of funding received from o
Page 54 and 55: with investigators from both agenci
Page 56 and 57: offering hands-on demonstrations re
Page 58 and 59: Western RegionBuffalo City Police D
Page 60 and 61: agencies with similar investigation
Page 62 and 63: PD, National Insurance Crime Bureau
Page 64 and 65: Another case that was recently indi
Page 66 and 67: complainant; this is now happening
Page 68 and 69: Niagara Falls City Police Departmen
Page 72 and 73: The District Attorney’s Office sp
Page 74 and 75: scene; younger suspects would use t
Page 76 and 77: One theft for transportation invest
Page 78 and 79: Rochester Police DepartmentPerforma
Page 80 and 81: Both agencies are continuing the in
Page 82 and 83: November 2009 - A targeted patrol o
Page 84 and 85: where defendants seek specific part
Page 86 and 87: had knowledge that the car was stol
Page 88 and 89: Reported Incidents of Motor Vehicle
Page 90 and 91: Incidence of Motor Vehicle Thefts:
Page 92 and 93: REPORTED MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS: 2008
Page 94 and 95: Motor Vehicle Thefts Rates per Popu
Page 96 and 97: Motor Vehicle Thefts Rates per Regi
Page 98 and 99: Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud Suspe
Page 100: MVIF 2009 Rate per Population2009Ra
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New York State - Division of Criminal Justice Services

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