BRONX MAN IS CONVICTED FOR AUTO STRIPPING

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 37 year-old Bronx man has been convicted of stripping parts from an automobile.

A Bronx jury found Tider Torres, of 723 Oakland Place, guilty of Auto Stripping in the 2nd degree. Under ordinary circumstances, auto stripping is considered an "A" misdemeanor offense punishable by a maximum of one-year imprisonment. However, because Torres has a prior auto stripping conviction within the last five years, the current case was elevated from misdemeanor to felony status. Torres, a non-violent predicate felony offender, faces a maximum term of up to 4 years imprisonment when he appears before Acting State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Newman for sentencing on Thursday, January 8, 2004 in Part T15.

The incident occurred around 3:00 A.M., on June 18, 2003, when two Police Officers on patrol in the 50th Precinct, heard the sound of breaking glass followed by the sound of an auto alarm. The Officers observed Torres leaning into a 1994 Toyota Camry parked in front of 49 West 225th Street. The defendant was found hiding in a nearby dumpster, and taken into custody following a brief chase. At the time of his arrest, Torres was found to have burglar’s tools in his possession.

Assistant District Attorney’s Susanna Imbo, and Sara Jacobson of the Trial Bureau prosecuted this case.