File Photo
The armored vehicle was stolen from in front of this HSBC Bank branch on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, L.I.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A Richmond Hill man indicted for his alleged role in the theft of more than $500,000 from an armored car in November on Long Island surrendered to the Federal Bureau of Investigation last Wednesday after nearly two weeks on the run, according to prosecutors.
Raymond Soto, Jr., 28, was arraigned the same day. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained.
Last month, an indictment was unsealed in federal court in Suffolk County that charged Alexis Laguerra, Soto, Jr., and his father, Raymond Soto with bank larceny.Laguerra, 30, was previously arrested on a complaint and released on $250,000 bail. The Brooklyn resident pleaded not guilty and was continued released on bail. The senior Soto, 48, pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained.
According to charging documents, Laguerra and the Sotos, all members of the Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Club, allegedly stole bank funds contained in three bags inside a GardaWorld armored car. Two employees of GardaWorld, Laguerra and John Doe #1, were working the overnight shift (8 p.m. to 6 a.m.) as the driver of the armored car and messenger, respectively. Their assignment the night of Friday, Nov. 2 was to empty automated teller machines at bank branches and refill each ATM with “fresh money” of between $99,800 and $275,000. Upon arrival at an HSBC Bank branch on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream at 2:22 a.m., Laguerra and John Doe #1 exited the armored car and entered the bank. The unoccupied armored car was subsequently stolen and later recovered nearby. The three bags of cash, each containing $170,000, were gone.
