Police: Car theft ring busted

Police said they have arrested four people in connection with a scheme to steal cars and junk them for scrap after the alleged ringleader and another suspect were caught in the backyard of a Roosevelt residence removing rims, wiring and metal pipes from two vehicles.

Nassau County police said the two were also attempting to steal the cars when they were apprehended Monday.

Christopher Morales, 28, of Whiskey Road in Coram, is the leader of the group, police said.

Morales was arrested along with Lecon Roberts, 38, of Westfield Avenue, Roosevelt, Tiesha Moore, 25, of Stevens Street in Freeport, and Melissa Renard, 29, of West Booker Avenue in Wyandanch, police said.

Morales was charged with third-degree grand larceny of a motor vehicle, seven counts of fourth-degree grand larceny, two counts of fourth-degree attempted grand larceny and three counts of offering a false instrument, police said. Moore was charged with three counts each of fourth-degree grand larceny and offering a false instrument. Renard was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny and with offering a false instrument. Roberts was charged with petty larceny and two counts of fourth-degree attempted grand larceny, police said.

All four were scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Police said the scheme began May 3 and continued until the arrests Monday. They said Morales stole the cars, had them towed to a salvage yard in Freeport and then signed a Department of Motor Vehicles form stating he was the owner.

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Police said he was paid cash.

Police said Morales twice had Moore and Renard sign those DMV forms stating they were the owners of the vehicles.