A series of beer thefts have come to an end after eight culprits were charged in connection to the crime spree.
The “Beer Theft Enterprise” was active between July 2022 and March 2024, and was responsible for dozens of beer thefts occurring across states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Corona and Modelo shipments from Mexico were the primary targets for the enterprise, which had cost these companies hundreds of thousands of dollars from the loss of inventory.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, over the course of almost two years “the Beer Theft Enterprise has operated brazenly, allegedly breaking into railyards and beverage distribution facilities throughout the Northeast and filling U-Haul box trucks to the brim with cases of beer.” And that the “dangerous and disruptive conduct — sometimes allegedly accompanied by the threat of violence — has left several beverage distribution and railroad companies ailing.”
Members of the enterprise would meet at night, often in the Bronx, before traveling to railyards or beverage distribution facilities where they would fill U-Haul box trucks with the stolen beer before attempting to sell them. This operation would bring in hundreds of dollars to the members every night that they successfully hijacked a shipment.
Investigators identified the members of the enterprise as Jose Cesari, 27; Miguel Cintron, 32; Luis Izquierdo, 40; Kemar Bonitto, 38; Wakeim Johnson, 31; Deylin Martinez-Guerrero, 28; Justin Bruno, 23; and Antonio Gonzalez, 33. Prosecutors accused Cesario of being the leader of the enterprise as not only was he present for many of these thefts, he was actively recruiting new members to the enterprise through social media like Instagram.
Cesari was also charged with conspiracy to steal from interstate or foreign shipments by the carrier, as well as other charges related to theft and use of a firearm. The other seven men were also charged with conspiracy, amongst other individual charges.
Prosecutors are hoping that stark punishments against these men will help prevent similar shipments heists from happening in the future.