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Illegal masterminds of NYC robbery ring hacked bank apps, resold stolen phones overseas

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Illegal masterminds of NYC robbery ring hacked bank apps, resold stolen phones overseas

New York City police announced a property crime crackdown and several arrests Monday after a raid on a migrant robbery ring with ties to Venezuela and a method involving using powered scooters — as a group of suspects in an attack on the NYPD remains unaccounted for.

“In recent months, a wave of migrant crime has washed over our city, but by no means do the individuals committing these crimes represent the vast number of people coming to New York to build a better life,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said during an afternoon news briefing.

He likened the gang to a group of ghosts — undocumented illegal immigrants with no phones, no social media and sometimes no known names or dates of birth.

Many of the suspects live in the migrant shelter system and recently arrived in the U.S., according to NYPD leaders.

NYPD RELEASES MIGRANT RAID PHOTOS AS SOFT-ON-CRIME LEADERS FACE NATIONAL OUTRAGE

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A police display shows a group of suspects in the New York City robbery ring unveiled Monday. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)

Speaking at a news briefing Monday afternoon, NYPD leaders named eight suspects in connection with the ring: alleged mastermind Victor Parra, as well as Cleyber Andrada, Juan Uzcatgui, Yan Jimenez, Anthony Ramos, Richard Saledo, Beike Jimenez and Maria Manaura.

Parra would allegedly send out a notice for specific models of phones he wanted, linking crooks from around the Big Apple who may not have even known one another for robbery missions, police said. Next, they would steal scooters and hit the streets to swipe phones and purses away from victims.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams photographed after the raid Monday morning. (X/@NYPDDaughtry)

A “tech guy” would then allegedly hack the stolen phones, access banking and financial apps and drain the accounts, police said. If they ran dry or the owners placed a lock on their money, the stolen phones would then be sent around the country or to Colombia to be reprogrammed and sold.

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ILLEGALS WHO CAUGHT BUS OUT OF NYC AFTER ATTACK ON POLICE MAY HAVE GOTTEN FREE RIDE FROM US TAXPAYERS: SOURCES

Police made a round of arrests late Sunday and served a search warrant in the Bronx early Monday morning, authorities said.

The warrant was on Parra’s home, but he wasn’t there. Police recovered 22 stolen phones and arrested the “tech guy” inside, however.

Most of the suspects lived in the city’s migrant shelter system, police said. The ring targeted four of the city’s five boroughs, with only Staten Island spared.

Assistant Commissioner Kaz Daughtry posted a series of photos Monday after the NYPD cracked down on a group of migrants suspected in a pattern robbery ring that victimized more than 60 people. (X/@NYPDDaughtry)

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NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell told FOX 5 New York earlier in the day that a spike in robberies and purse snatching involving mopeds or scooters had a direct correlation with the current migrant crisis, which has overwhelmed the Big Apple.

“Big impact on crime, this migrant Venezuelan crew that’s preying on our city,” Chell said. “We cannot have this anymore. We’ve gotta stop it.”

NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell speaks to the media from the NYPD Headquarters in Manhattan, New York on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Officials addressed the arrests of illegal immigrants early Monday morning linked to numerous gang robberies. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)

While police spoke sternly about the immigration problem, Adams blamed Republicans in Washington for the issue and noted that out of nearly 200,000 migrants and asylum seekers who have recently arrived in New York City, only a handful have been charged with the organized crime ring.

A migrant charged with assaulting two NYPD officers in Times Square flipped off reporters Wednesday. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post)

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“Republicans have blocked real immigration reform for many years,” Adams said. “It is time for us to deal with this real issue that is impacting cities, not only New York.”

Separately, several of the suspects seen kicking a pair of NYPD officers in the head on security video last week have ties to a Venezuelan theft ring, according to law enforcement sources. 

There was no firm connection between the robbery ring and the police assault, except that both groups had ties to Venezuelan nationals and the migrant shelters.

Separately, investigators said earlier Monday that the arrests were also tied to a “Venezuelan crew” suspected in more than 60 purse and phone robberies around the city. But there was no evidence that the two separate groups share a connection.

But critics say New York’s Democrat-led bail reforms, which allow many criminals to walk free shortly after their arrests, make any kind of law enforcement crackdown worthless. 

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Police taking a suspect into custody outside the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan. (FNTV)

Even Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul criticized the progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg last week after his office failed to have the court set bail for almost all of the NYPD attack suspects.

MIGRANT ARRESTED IN SPAT WITH POLICE AFTER SHOWING OFF NYPD ATTACK VIDEO

Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams is pictured during briefing at the Javits Federal Building, New York City, April 17, 2023.  (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

“We all have a role here,” Adams told reporters. “The role of the police department is to arrest, the role of the prosecutors, is to prosecute, and the role of the federal government, if a person is found guilty of a crime, is to deport.”

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When asked if he would be willing to dismantle New York’s sanctuary city policies, the mayor laughed and deflected.

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“There’s a law in this city that states what we can do with migrants and asylum seekers and undocumented,” he added. “That’s the law. I didn’t pass that law.”

The most recent police statistics, which cover the month of January, show a slight dip in crime compared to the same month in 2023.

Robberies, however, continue to climb — rising by 5.4% last month and 9% year over year as of Sunday morning. 

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Boston, MA

Boston Pops gearing up for major July 4th celebration: ‘You only turn 250 once’ – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Boston Pops gearing up for major July 4th celebration: ‘You only turn 250 once’ – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


BOSTON (WHDH) – The Boston Pops are preparing for their Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular this weekend with half a million people expected to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday on the Charles River Esplanade.

The President and CEO of Boston Symphony Orchestra said an even bigger celebration is being prepared at the hatch-shell this year.

“Everything is bigger. You only turn 250 once!” said Chad Smith, President and CEO of Boston Symphony. “We recognize that Massachusetts has been a center of revolution, not just in the Revolutionary War, but through the last 250 years. That spirit, sense of innovation, the sense of pushing our country forward is going to be on display as well.”

Organizers are bringing in lighting, sound equipment, extra stages, and of course – the fireworks.

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“Planning to bring in new details and amplify the experience on the Fourth of July with a bigger firework show. They’re going to have drones for the first time, amazing talent,” said Kate Fox, Executive Director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.

This year’s spectacular is being hosted by actress Jane Lynch, and will feature performances by country star Lainey Wilson, Chance the Rapper, Trombone Shorty, and Broadway star Megan Hilty.

“We’re going to have remarkable artists that represent the vast diversity and breadth of American music,” Smith said.

The Boston Pops have been performing on the Esplanade for the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular for 52 years, and organizers said this year’s show will highlight the history of Massachusetts.

“The history of the Pops is so closely tied to the Massachusetts story on the Fourth of July,” Fox said.

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The fireworks show will begin at 9:15 p.m., and will be set to live music from the Pops.

(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Pittsburg, PA

Ferris wheel to support veterans spinning Wednesday through Sunday on Pittsburgh’s North Shore

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Ferris wheel to support veterans spinning Wednesday through Sunday on Pittsburgh’s North Shore


Pittsburgh officials are partnering with a nonprofit to provide a unique way to thank veterans for their service while getting a grand look at the Steel City.

A 90-foot Ferris wheel dubbed the Salute to Service Wheel will be spinning on the North Shore from Wednesday through Sunday.

It’s provided by Piatt Companies and Piatt Sotheby’s International Realty with half of ticket sale proceeds going to Veterans Leadership Program.

First launched in 1982, VLP helps veterans navigate life’s transitions. Efforts include wellness services, housing, career development and various support programs.

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Mayor Corey O’Connor, parks and recreation director Eric Sloan, Piatt Companies CEO Lucas Piatt and representatives from the Veterans Leadership Program are expected to host a grand opening celebration Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. at North Shore Drive and Art Rooney Avenue and take the first rides.

It is part of Pittsburgh’s Independence Day celebration.

Tickets are on sale now and cost $11.20, including a $1.20 service fee. They can be found at pittsburghpa.gov.

Bookings are in hour intervals from 2-9 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and from 2-8 p.m. Sunday.

Riders smaller than 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.

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Connecticut

US Supreme Court to consider challenge to Connecticut assault weapons ban

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US Supreme Court to consider challenge to Connecticut assault weapons ban


HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – The U.S. Supreme Court said Tuesday it will take up an appeal challenging bans on the AR-15 and other semi-automatic firearms, including the ban in Connecticut and in the Chicago area.

Similar bans are in place in about a dozen states. The case is expected to be heard in the fall.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the state’s assault weapons ban is lawful and that his office is prepared to fight the challenge in court.

“Connecticut’s assault weapon ban is lawful, lifesaving, and broadly supported. The gun lobby has flooded the courts in states across the country to get an assault weapons case up to this Supreme Court. We are prepared for this fight, and we are going to go in with everything we’ve got to keep these weapons of war off our streets, out of our schools, and away from our families,” said Attorney General Tong.

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