File Photo
A GardaWorld armored vehicle was burglarized last November.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Two more men have copped to their roles in the theft of an armored car and more than $500,000 from the vehicle on Nov. 2, 2018, in Valley Stream, federal prosecutors announced on Friday.
Alexis Laguerra, 30, of Brooklyn, and Richmond Hill resident Raymond Soto, Sr., 48, pleaded guilty to bank larceny. Last month, Raymond Soto, Jr., 30, also of Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Laguerra was an employee of GardaWorld, the owner of the armored car. As admitted at the plea proceedings, he used his insider’s knowledge of GardaWorld to plot and carry out the theft. Laguerra was the assigned GardaWorld driver of the armored car for the overnight shift, and left it unoccupied and unguarded outside an HSBC Bank branch on Sunrise Highway. Soto, Jr. then arrived, entered the armored car, and drove it a short distance from the bank. He then removed three bags of cash, totaling $510,000, from the armored car. Soto, Sr., driving the getaway car, picked up Soto, Jr. and the cash, and together they fled the scene.
In December, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at the Sotos’ 91st Avenue residence and recovered $131,000 in cash packaged in the same manner as cash is packaged by GardaWorld. Authorities also allegedly found a gun, ammunition, and a quantity of marijuana and cocaine in the Sotos’ apartment.
When sentenced, the Sotos and Laguerra face up to 10 years in prison, as well as forfeiture of $300,000, restitution of $510,000, and a fine of up to $250,000.
