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Jan 21, 2008 8:00 pm US/Eastern
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Police Bust Lucrative International iPhone Heist
Suspects Had Purchased New Designer Clothing, Cars, Planned On Moving To Florida
VALLEY STREAM, N.Y. (CBS) ―
A shipment of nearly $100,000 in iPhones stolen from cargo headed to John F. Kennedy Airport led to the arrests of four Long Island men who wasted no time in cashing in their profits, police say.
Nassau County police say two of the suspects worked for a bonded private cargo broker in Valley Stream, where each day the couriered shipments to JFK Airport were destined for international markets.
The suspects' alleged get rich scheme -- which police say involved the theft of $93,000 worth of the popular iPod phone -- backfired when the two men suddenly quit their jobs. That's when their boss smelled something fishy, and noticed that they were sporting a brand new wardrobe made up of designer clothing.
Police say the suspects went and bought brand new clothes, sneakers, earrings, watches, and even used cars, including a Volkswagen Passat.
"I should also note the suspects were planning on moving to Florida today," said Nassau County Det. Lt. John Azzata.
Police identified the suspects as 20-year-old Emmanuel Etienne and 22-year-old Jarred E. Thomas of Baldwin. The two men and their accomplice, 20-year-old Duane Carlos, were all charged with grand larceny and conspiracy.
Police say the suspects were also caught on surveillance tape.
To try and cover their tracks, the couriers allegedly spent $100 at a Staples, and replaced the iPhones in the cargo with equal weights of paper products and shrinkwrap, shipping them via Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong, where the larceny was discovered.
A fourth suspect who police say was the accused fence, identified as 21-year-old Emil V. Shamailov of Brooklyn, was charged with criminal possession of stolen property. Authorities say he was caught trying to sell some of the stolen phone on Craigslist.
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