Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of VICTOR PARRA, 30, for directing a series of cell phone snatchings. At least 25 individuals’ phones have been stolen in Manhattan by members of this ring and the Office’s investigation remains ongoing. PARRA is charged in a New York State Supreme Court Indictment with three counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree; and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. The indictment also charges JUAN UZCATGUI with one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree. [1]

“This alleged scheme preyed on unsuspecting New Yorkers who were just walking outside going about their daily lives. We are continuing to investigate the full extent and scope of this ring in coordination with our law enforcement partners, and I encourage anyone who may have been a victim to please contact our office at 212-335-9040,” said District Attorney Bragg.

According to court documents and statements made on the record, the individuals working for PARRA would ride mopeds up to victims – typically at night – and steal their phones. PARRA then met with the cell phone snatchers, paid them for each stolen cell phone, and added extra money if the cell phones were unlocked when they were delivered. PARRA then directed another individual to break into locked phones in order to steal money from the victims’ financial accounts.

The indictment charges PARRA with organizing two specific incidents. The first occurred on December 22, 2023, at approximately midnight at the intersection of West 24^th Street and Sixth Avenue. UZCATGUI, sitting on the back seat of a moped, snatched a victim’s cellphone and then met up with PARRA in the Bronx. UZCATGUI and PARRA made two transactions on the victim’s Apple card for $1,742 and another for $1,630. The defendants also attempted to make a $1,000 transaction on Zelle that was declined.

On January 5^th, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m. in front of 721 Third Avenue, CLEYBER ANDRADE, who is charged separately in a Criminal Court complaint, and another person stole a cell phone at the direction of PARRA. They then met up with PARRA in the Bronx. Two unauthorized Zelle transactions for $1,300 and then $200 were made on the victim’s Zelle account. 

D.A. Bragg has previously called on major companies to enhance protections for financial applications in the wake of smartphone thefts and scams.

The case is being prosecuted by Investigative Counsel to the Trial Division Assistant D.A. Yuval Simchi-Levi and Assistant D.A. Nicholas Kania, under the supervision of Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Siegel (Deputy Bureau Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60), Christopher Prevost and Andrew Warshawer (Deputy Chiefs of the Trial Division) and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative analysts Diana Vegas and Joel Torres, Trial Preparation analyst James Hupprich, as well as the High Tech Analysis Unit including Steven Moran, Boris Vestfrid and Marko Papic are also assisting with the investigation and prosecution. Assistant D.A. Miya Saint-Louis also assisted in this investigation and prosecution. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, especially Detective Matthew Maddox of the Manhattan Robbery Squad, Matthew McClusky of the FBI/NYPD Gang Task Force, and Detective Daniel Pelan of the NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Defendant Information:
VICTOR PARRA
Bronx, New York

Charged:

• Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, four counts
• Attempted Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

JUAN UZCATGUI
New York, New York

Charged:

• Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment and criminal court complaint are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.