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Firefighter among those indicted in $2M sports betting ring

BRONX, NEW YORK, Mar. 1- Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of eight reputed members or associates of an organized crime family, including a New York City firefighter, for allegedly operating a sports betting and loan-sharking operation that generated profits in excess of $2 million a year.

A grand jury indicted seven of the eight defendants on a top count of Enterprise Corruption, a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment. Those seven defendants are: Joseph Sarcinella, 77, of Scarsdale, New York, Frank Mastracchio, 56, of the Bronx, Dominick Totino, 44, of the Bronx, Dominick Pietranico, 81, of Mahopac, New York, Bruno Travostino, 81, of Manhattan, John D’Ambrosio, 54, of Bronxville,  New York, and Thomas McMahon, 29, of City Island, the Bronx.

In addition to the Enterprise Corruption charge, those seven people have also been charged with multiple counts of Promoting Gambling in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Possession of Gambling Records in the First Degree, a Class E Felony, Criminal Usury in the Second Degree, a Class E Felony, and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. Frank Mastracchio was also charged with illegal gun possession stemming from the recovery of an illegal hand gun and a sawed-off shotgun during the execution of a search warrant at his home.

An eighth defendant, William Cali, 58, of Bellrose, New York has been indicted on one count of Criminal Usury in the second degree, a Class E Felony offense, and one count of Conspiracy in the fifth degree, a Class A Misdemeanor.

The crimes alleged in the indictments occurred between December 1, 2009 and June 23, 2011.

The charges in the indictments are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

All of the defendants were arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Steven Barrett. 

It is alleged that the defendants, acting in concert with each other and others, ran an illegal sports betting operation utilizing two gambling wire-rooms at 1500 Mace Avenue and 709 East 189^TH Street. The wire-rooms were staffed by workers who manned telephone lines for the purpose of taking bets, managing betting activity, and setting betting lines and spreads. Additionally, a social club at 1480 Mace Avenue was used to pay out on winning bets and  collect on losing bets.

Several defendants also allegedly engaged in loan-sharking by charging at least one debtor hundreds of dollars a week in interest and fines which amounted to a 100 percent interest rate over a one year period.                                

Information gathered during the course of the investigation indicated various ties between most of the defendants and the Genovese Crime Family. It was also learned that one of the defendants, Thomas McMahon, is currently employed as a firefighter with the FDNY.

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Violent week in Bronx

Police Blotter 

By David Greene

MAN SHOT IN BELMONT... 

Responding to a call of gunfire, police discovered a man shot at E. 184 Street and Hoffman Street, at 9 p.m., on February 28. 

The unidentified victim was reportedly shot as he walked with his pregnant wife when he was shot in his leg an abdomen. He was rushed to nearby St. Barnabas Hospital and was expected to recover. No arrests have been made in the case.

PELHAM BAY HOMICIDE... 

Officers from the 45th Precinct, responding to a call of shots fired, discovered the body of a man in his 40s. He had been shot to death at 2825 Wellman Avenue. 

The incident was reported at just after 8:30 a.m., on February 27. The victim was reportedly found inside the doorway of a two-family home. One unconfirmed report stated that the victim's hands and feet were bound.

Police have not yet released the name of the deceased.

TAXI HITS HOUSE IN PARKCHESTER... 

Rescue crews were called to 1403 Taylor Avenue after a car struck a home.

The incident was reported at 8:25 a.m., on Monday, February 27. Members of the FDNY removed the driver who had been pinned in the auto. According to a surveillance video of the crash, the livery taxi driver appears to have gone through a red light, when he swerved to avoid an approaching vehicle.

The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Police say no charges would be filed.

DOUBLE STABBING IN WAKEFIELD... 

Police and EMS were called to the scene of a double stabbing in Wakefield. 

The incident was reported at 8:20 a.m., on February 26. Two victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment and were expected to recover. No other details were available at this time.

BEDFORD PARK FIRE INJURES FOUR... 

Members of Battalion 27 were called to a house fire at 2746 Decatur Avenue at E. 197 Street, at 11:45 p.m., on February 25. The blaze was reported on the first-floor of the five-story building. EMS reported four victims, one reported in serious condition, the other three were said to have only minor injuries. The fire was declared under control after about 30 minutes.

POLICE OFFICER INJURED... 

Rescue crews responded to a police car crash in Soundview. 

The incident was reported at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and Olmstead Avenue. One officer was briefly pinned in the crash, which took place at just after 4 a.m., on Saturday, February 25. The officer was removed to a local hospital with neck and back injuries and expected to recover.

ARMED ROBBERY IN FORDHAM... 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to Jerome Avenue and W. Fordham Road for a call of an armed robbery at the location. The incident was reported at 4:10 a.m., on Friday, February 24. Police were reportedly looking for three male Hispanics who fled in a mini van taxi that traveled eastbound on

Fordham Road. Officers at the scene requested the services of the Emergency Service Unit, at 5:25 a.m., to search the rooftop of 49 W. Fordham Road. No arrests have been made and police continue to investigate.

WESTCHESTER SQUARE ROBBERY... 

Police were called to the Westchester Square subway station, where a victim stated they had been robbed in the subway. 

The incident took place at 10:30 p.m., on February 23. Police were reported to be looking for three male Blacks and one male Hispanic, all said to be in their late teens.

BURGLAR NABBED IN NORWOOD.... 

Police arrested on suspect after a reported break in. 

Officers from the 52nd Precinct were called to 3536 Hull Avenue, on February 22. A search conducted by members of the Emergency Services Unit netted the alleged suspect, who

was quickly taken into police custody shortly after the 4 p.m.

incident.

MECHANIC INJURED IN MT. HOPE... 

Police and rescue personnel were called to a garage after a mechanic was injured by a vehicle. 

The accident took place at 10 a.m., on Tuesday, February 21. The victim was conscious  when removed by EMS, but the victim's condition was listed as serious. No other details were available at this time.

LADDER 51 CRASHES IN BRONXWOOD... 

Responding to a two-alarm fire at 957 E. 217 Street, Ladder 51 collided with a mini van at the intersection of Bronxwood Avenue and E. 217 Street. The crash was reported at 1:25 p.m., on Monday, February 20, nearly an hour after the fire had broken out. EMS reported several injuries but could not say if those injuries included any firefighters.

If you have witnessed or have information on a violent crime, you may give your information anonymously by calling 1 (800) 577-TIPS or TEXT: Crimes. ENTER: TIPS577. 

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Three stooges caught on tape

By Dan Gesslein

A trio of Bronx burglars may have been sly enough to rob an apartment via the fire escape but they weren’t slick enough to avoid the camera. Cops released a surveillance video of the men they said robbed a Morrisania apartment.

At around 1:50 p.m. on February 24, a young man climbed the fire escape at 590 East 166th Street. He opened the bedroom window and entered the apartment. Once inside he opened the front door to allow his accomplice entrance while a third man acted as look out. The burglars then proceeded to take cash and jewelry before fleeing. 

Suspect number one, who was seen climbing the fire escape, is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 18 and 21 and is about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt, blue jeans and a black skull cap. 

The other burglar is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 18 and 21 and is about 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark coat, gray sweat pants with a white shirt and a blue NY Yankee hat.

The lookout is described as a Hispanic male between the ages of 18 and 21 and weighs about 140 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt and dark jeans.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are confidential.

Stevenson sworn in to Assembly

(Bronx Supreme Court Judge Kenneth Thompson swears in Assemblyman Eric Stevenson.--Photo by David Greene)


By David Greene

A host of supporters and elected officials gathered at the campus of Morris High School, on Boston Road, for the swearing in of Assemblyman Eric Stevenson, who will serve in the 79th Assembly District.

During the swearing-in on January 8, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz said of Stevenson, "He has a history of hard work in his community and as a Democratic district leader, will be an important and valuable addition to the Bronx assembly delegation."

Congressman Jose Serrano remarked, "The challenge is strong, make no mistake and this is where Eric comes in, as a partner with us at every level of government."

Former Assemblyman and current Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., said of Stevenson, "This young man is a connector between the history of this immediate area in the Bronx and what's yet to come."

Fellow Assemblyman and Bronx Democrat Party Chairman, added, "During this time financial hardships that we are experiencing throughout the country and certainly here in the Bronx... we're getting somebody who's not going to be tentative about advocating for his community."

After being sworn in by Bronx Supreme Court Judge Kenneth Thompson, Stevenson told his supporters, "I had a dream about a year ago, and it’s the truth... that I was being sworn in as the Assemblyman of the 79th District."

Stevenson is the son of late District Leader Edward A. Stevenson, Jr., and the grandson of former Assemblyman Edward A. Stevenson, Sr., who both served in the 79th A.D.

Corrections Officer Wounded by Police

By David Greene

Investigators are still piecing together the details behind a bizarre incident that has left an off-duty New York City corrections officer wounded after a night of drinking in Morrisania.

According to the NYPD, police received a call at 3:45 a.m., on Saturday, October 2nd, for a report of a man with a gun, outside of 580 E. 161 Street.

Upon the arrival of plain-clothes officers from the 40th Precinct Anti-Crime unit and the Patrol Borough Bronx Anti-Crime unit, discovered the subject holding a weapon outside of 3214 Third Avenue.

According to a statement issued by the NYPD, "The officers verbally identified themselves with shields displayed around their necks and ordered the suspect numerous times to drop the weapon."

The statement continued, "After ignoring numerous demands, the suspect did point the firearm in the direction of the officers causing several officers to discharge their firearms at the suspect."

The off duty corrections officer, later identified as Victor Hernandez, 35, was shot once in the left arm and transported to Lincoln Hospital, where he was later arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and menacing.

At least two of the four responding officers from the confrontation were removed to Jacobi Hospital for trauma. Police would later release a photo of the loaded 9mm handgun; they say Hernandez dropped after being wounded.

The shooting took place a short distance away from the Legends Night Club on E. 161 Street, where Hernandez had allegedly spent several hours drinking.

Hernandez, who has been suspended without pay by the Department of Corrections, was one month shy of being with the department for four years and was assigned to the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island.

The incident reminded investigators of a January, 2006 shooting outside of a White Castle on Webster Avenue, when off-duty NYPD officer Eric Hernandez was assaulted by a group of young tuffs. When Hernandez pulled his gun as the confrontation spilled into the parking lot, he was fatally shot by fellow cops.

Did killer return to finish the job?

By David Greene

Less than 48 hours after a teen was shot dead at a house party, a suspicious fire broke out in the same apartment, destroying several other apartments, along with any potential evidence that may have been left inside the Morrisania apartment crime scene.

On August 8th, police were called to apartment 6-E at 1454 Grand Concourse, after a gunman opened fire in the doorway of an alleged vacant apartment, where local teens were holding the party. A knock at the door and a half a dozen shots into the apartment and Demetrius Jones, 19, lay dead and three friends lay wounded, one seriously.

Shortly after the killing, a friend of Jones stated, "They're saying that this girl brought a few dudes that didn't like him and they knocked on the door and started shooting."

At 12:30 a.m. on August 10th, members of the FDNY were called to the apartment for a fire that burned for just over an hour. The FDNY deemed the fire suspicious, after they learned the fire originated in the apartment from the earlier homicide.

One source claimed that Jones' family, who actually lived in a third-floor apartment, moved out of the building just last week.

Sources in the building claim the landlord takes in clients from the Department of Homeless Service (DHS) and is the only building on the block that does not have surveillance cameras. During two visits to the building in the past three weeks, the front door to the building and most of the mailboxes were broken.

According to the Department of Building's web site, the building currently has 11 open violations including one, "work without a permit," violation. Repeated attempts to reach the landlord's Brooklyn office were unsuccessful.

A source at Police Plaza stated that no arrests have been made in the shooting or the fire, but both investigation's remain, "open and active."

An attempt was made to contact an official from DHS but that call was not returned before the submission of this article.

Child struck by alleged unlicensed driver

(Photo by David Greene)

By David Greene

A young boy, no older that 10 years of age, was seriously injured after being struck by an SUV. Police at the scene had to put the driver and his passenger in protective custody after a crowd wanted to deliver it's own brand of justice.

The accident was reported sometime after 9 p.m., on Wednesday, July 21st, when the red Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the victim at the corner of E. 170 Street, between Third Avenue and St. Pauls Place, outside of the Gouverneur Morris Houses on the Morrisania/ Claremont border.

Witnesses at the scene believed the driver was traveling Southbound but wound up in the Northbound lane facing oncoming traffic, after striking the unidentified victim.

An elderly woman asked an NYPD Highway Patrol officer, "Is the child all right?" The officer simply responded, "I hope so."

One witness at the scene who declined to be identified, said of the moments after the crash, "The police had to put the driver and passenger in custody because the crowd was going to beat them up."

The witness continued, "At thirty-miles per hour you have time to stop, so he was really going fast," adding that the wheels of the SUV briefly pinned the youngster, whom the witness believed was just eight or nine year's old.

A second witness recalled a conversation between an officer and the driver, explaining, "The cop asked him if he had a license and he said ‘no,’ so he's going down."

The child was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital in critical condition. St. Barnabas Hospital was looking into the child's condition, but had not returned the call in time for the publication of this article.