Men arrested for motorcycle thefts in Ramapo

RAMAPO PD PRESS RELEASE

At about 3 a.m., Monday, October 10 Ramapo PD received a report from a Dolson Road resident of three suspects stealing two motorcycles from the front of his property.

As officers responded, one officer observed a U-Haul vehicle driving north on Remsen Road.  The officer proceeded to follow the U-Haul and stopped it on Route 306 near Viola Rd.  As the officer approached the stopped U-Haul, the driver drove off at a high rate of speed north on 306.  The U-Haul turned onto Viola Rd towards Spring Valley.

The U-Haul then attempted to turn onto Zuba Lane where it left the roadway and struck a house. Two suspects were located in the rear of the U-Haul. The driver fled the scene on foot. Located in the rear of the U-Haul with the two suspects were two motorcycles, 2013 Suzuki 400cc and a 2012 Yamaha 250cc.

These were identified as the stolen motorcycles. The driver has not been located as of this time. The two apprehended suspects and the charges against them are as follows:

• Karl Lapeine, 19, of Spring Valley NY
  • Charges: Grand Larceny 3^rd(D-felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3^rd(D-felony), and Criminal Mischief 4^th(A misd.)
• Ely Portillo-Mendoza, 16, of New Hempstead NY
  • Charges: Grand Larceny 3^rd(D-felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3^rd(D-felony), and Criminal Mischief 4^th(A misd.)

Both will be held for arraignment to take place later today. A natural gas line was damaged as a result of the U-Haul striking the home. The home suffered extensive damage. Hillcrest FD and Orange and Rockland responded to the scene.