File Photo
According to DA Brown, the burglaries allegedly occurred in Corona, Woodside, Jackson Heights and Forest Hills between January and May of this year.
By Forum Staff
Residents in four Queens communities can rest a little easier after three men were charged with multiple burglaries from January through May of this year.
The trio plagued residences along with commercial establishments in Corona, Woodside, Jackson Heights and Forest Hills for nearly six months before they were brought in last week.
DA Brown’s office warned residents that while these perpetrators are in custody, with summer approaching and the expected rise of burglaries that accompanies it, caution with home security must be excercised.
The three defendants are identified as as Carlos Castro-Diaz, Michelle D. Valencia Jaramillo and Jorge E. Vela-Sanclemente.
In six criminal complaints, they were arraigned on charges of second-degree burglary, third- and fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree attempted burglary, possession of burglar’s tools, fourth-degree criminal mischief and petit larceny.
If convicted the defendants face up to 15 years in prison, and were ordered to return to court on June 9, 2017.
A criminal complaint recorded the following burglaries or attempted burglaries that were committed:
• A residence on 52nd Avenue in Corona; two Louis Vuitton purses valued in excess of $1,000
• A residence on 41st Drive in Woodside; a silver Bulova watch;
• A residence on Juno Street in Forest Hills; approximately $21,000 were sums of cash, jeweled rings, a diamond bracelet, a gold necklace, two woman’s watches and a pair of Prada sunglasses;
• A residence on 87th Street in Jackson Heights; assorted jewelry, credit cards, personal documents and $10,000 in cash;
• Attempted burglary at a residence on 99 Street in Corona.
• 2 Corona residences – one on National Street and the other on 111th Street; Adidas satchel, a jar and container containing U.S. currency, and various sums of U.S. and Thai currency that had been in a Coach wallet kept in a night stand.
Following their defendants’ arrest, court-authorized search warrants were executed on a black 2008 BMW 328IS in which the three defendants were seated and at Castro-Diaz’s Elmhurst residence. From the BMW vehicle police allegedly recovered a number of items, including a navy blue Adidas satchel containing U.S. and Thai currency, a pry bar screwdriver, a screwdriver, a camouflage satchel containing a pry bar and two large umbrellas. From Castro-Diaz’s residence, police allegedly recovered various clothing, an iPhone 7 Plus cellphone box and two watches.
