Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of VICTOR PARRA, 31, for directing a series of cell phone snatchings that targeted at least 25 individuals in Manhattan and using the stolen phones to steal from at least two victims’ financial accounts. PARRA pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to two counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree. He was sentenced to 2-6 years in state prison.
The investigation into PARRA contributed, in part, to the Office and NYPD uncovering a gun trafficking conspiracy, which allegedly involved high-ranking members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
“This ring snatched more than two dozen cell phones in Manhattan, and now its ringleader is being held accountable,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This investigation also led us to a larger alleged gun trafficking conspiracy that involves four defendants selling illegal firearms. I want to thank our attorneys for their diligent investigation that was able to connect this criminal activity. It demonstrates the depth of knowledge and expertise we have here in the Manhattan D.A.’s Office to combat crime in all its forms.”
As admitted in the defendant’s guilty plea and according to court documents and statements made on the record, individuals working for PARRA rode mopeds up to victims – typically at night – and stole 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 to steal money from the victims’ financial accounts.
PARRA organized two specific incidents. The first occurred on December 22, 2023, at approximately midnight at the intersection of West 24th Street and Sixth Avenue. One of PARRA’S co-defendants allegedly sat on the back seat of a moped and snatched a victim’s cellphone. He then met up with PARRA in the Bronx, where the duo made two transactions on the victim’s Apple card for $1,742 and another for $1,630. They also attempted to make a $1,000 transaction on Zelle that was declined.
On January 5, 2024, at approximately 8:30 p.m. in front of 721 Third Avenue, PARRA directed two other individuals to steal a cell phone. 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), 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 analyst 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
Convicted:
- Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, two counts
Sentenced:
- 2-6 years in state prison
###