Cover photo: D.A. Tierney (right) and SCPD Commissioner Catalina (left) announce indictments in the carjacking crime spree at the SCCC Police Academy in Brentwood (Credit – Matt Meduri)
Tuesday morning brought an announcement of indictments in a gang who have perpetrated dozens of carjackings, credit card theft, and theft of other valuables. The string of crimes swept Suffolk and Nassau counties, as well as portions of New York City and Westchester County from February 2023 to August 2024.
Thirteen defendants of the Hempstead/Freeport-based “5-L” gang – or “CC Boyz” gang – have been charged for their alleged roles in fifty-two vehicle break-ins, fifteen vehicle thefts, and the theft of seventy-five credit cards used to make more than $40,000 in fraudulent purchases at retail stores.
Defendants have been caught on home surveillance and security video cameras targeting residential driveways, gyms, hotels, golf courses, and assisted living facilities across Suffolk County. Investigators also allege the defendants carried out a grand larceny scheme using phishing emails to gain access to bank accounts, resulting in the withdrawal of over $50,000 from victims’ accounts.
Videos were then played, showing the alleged defendants opening unlocked cars where the key fobs were left. One gang member drove a particular car across the victim’s front lawn, as the car was blocked in the driveway by another vehicle. The defendants also allegedly broke the windows of fourteen vehicles to gain access.
Defendants also allegedly used the stolen cars to “car check,” switching license plates to other vehicles to avoid detection by law enforcement. Some vehicles were eventually abandoned in Suffolk and Nassau counties.
Defendants also allegedly used stolen credit cards immediately after obtaining them to make purchases, allowing investigators to narrow down their searches.
The string of crimes occurred in the late-night and early-morning hours. The investigation revealed that defendants allegedly used real estate phone applications to target Suffolk neighborhoods where they believed victims would be more likely to leave their cars unlocked with wallets and/or car keys inside.
Fifteen Social Security cards and fourteen National Insurance cards were also involved in the thefts.
The three primary defendants consist of Shawn Mullen, 24, of Hempstead, Trevon Brandon-Douse, 26, of Freeport, and Zion Fenner, 25, of Freeport.
Mullen faces a top count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony. He is charged with 197 counts, including 178 felony charges. He allegedly broke into approximately thirty-five vehicles and stole fourteen vehicles. He was held on a $1 million cash bond, $5 million bond, or $10 million partially secured bond. He faces five to fifteen years in prison if convicted on the top charge and faces consecutive sentences if convicted of multiple charges.
Brandon-Douse faces the same top county as Mullen, and is charged with seventy-nine counts, including seventy-three felonies.
Fenner faces a top count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony and is charged with a total of fifty-nine felonies for allegedly breaking into ten vehicles and stealing three.
Jaquan Wilson, 21, of Hempstead, faces a top county of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony. He is due back in court in April and faces five to fifteen years in prison if convicted.
Edwin Pierre, 25, of Freeport, faces the same charge, but was released from jail without bail because the charges are considered non-bail eligible in New York.
Kavon Wilson, 21, of Hempstead, was charged with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony. Wilson was released from jail due to the charge being non-bail eligible. The same charge and circumstances apply to Andrew Lawrence, 23, of Hempstead, Joshua Lee Garrett, 20, of Bethpage, and Brianna Patterson, 32, of Hempstead.
Damien Patrice, 27, of Hempstead, faces a charge of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a Class C felony, but is currently in New York State Department of Corrections custody on an unrelated matter.
Jarell Lanier, 25, of Freeport, faces a top count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony. He is also in NYSDOC custody on an unrelated matter.
Jamal Woodise, 24, of Freeport, faces a top count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D felony, but is currently in custody on NYSDOC on an unrelated matter.
Rahmadon Cruz, 28, of the Bronx, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony and faces up to two to four years in prison if convicted. He is still at large.
“This indictment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to protecting Suffolk County residents from property theft. Through meticulous investigation and collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we’ve dismantled a sophisticated criminal operation that targeted neighborhoods throughout our county,” said District Attorney Ray Tierney (R). “These alleged gang members strategically victimized our communities, breaking into vehicles, stealing credit cards, and quickly making purchases before victims could respond. Let it be clear – in Suffolk County, you cannot steal other people’s property with impunity. I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the investigators and prosecutors in my office that helped bring this indictment to fruition and we look forward to holding these individuals responsible in court.”
“This criminal enterprise capitalized on unsuspecting people for a year and a half, stealing property and peace of mind,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “What this gang didn’t count on was the tenacity of our detectives to uncover their schemes. I commend the Fifth Squad, the District Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners that sent a clear message that property crime is not victimless and one we are focused on.”
(Credit: Matt Meduri)
“Here’s a message for every would-be criminal out there: if you try to exploit the postal system for criminal use, Postal Inspectors will be on the case, and we’ve had a lot of practice arresting fraudsters, over 250 years’ worth. I’d like to thank all our law enforcement partners for their assistance with this case and bringing these individuals to justice,” said USPIS New York Division Acting Inspector in Charge Brendan T. Donahue.
“I commend the outstanding work of District Attorney Ray Tierney and Commissioner Kevin Catalina in putting an end to the brazen criminal activity that targeted the residents of Suffolk County,” said Vincent F. DeMarco, United States Marshal for the Eastern of New York and former Suffolk County Sheriff. “The United States Marshals Service is proud to have played a key role in the successful apprehension of the defendants yesterday.”
“This indictment once again highlights the power that Suffolk County’s law enforcement network has in taking down criminal operations and keeping our communities safe,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. (D). “The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold offenders accountable and protect our residents from those who seek to victimize them. I commend the officers involved in the investigation for their tireless work in bringing these individuals to justice.”