Federal prosecutors charge 8 in series of beer heists at Northeast rail yards, distribution centers

Eight men have been charged with stealing at least hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of beer, mostly imported from Mexico, from railroad cars and storage facilities located throughout the Northeast in what federal authorities described as a "Wild West" multi-year crime spree.

Between July 2022 and March 2024, the "Beer Theft Enterprise" committed dozens of beer thefts across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, according to an indictment unsealed by federal prosecutors Wednesday. Prosecutors accused Jose Cesari, 27, of being the leader of the enterprise and said he recruited members through Instagram.

The enterprise primarily targeted Corona and Modelo shipped from Mexico, costing companies at least hundreds of thousands of dollars, prosecutors said.

"For years, the Beer Theft Enterprise has operated brazenly, allegedly breaking into (rail yards) and beverage distribution facilities throughout the Northeast and filling U-Haul box trucks to the brim with cases of beer," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "That dangerous and disruptive conduct — sometimes allegedly accompanied by the threat of violence — has left several beverage distribution and railroad companies ailing."

Cesari was charged with conspiracy to steal from interstate or foreign shipments by the carrier and six other charges related to theft and using or carrying a firearm, the indictment states. The seven others were also charged with conspiracy with several facing other charges.

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Prosecutors: 'Beer Theft Enterprise' operated under cover of night

The group typically operated at night, according to the indictment, with some of the members meeting in the Bronx, New York, before traveling to a rail yard or beverage distribution facility.

At least one of the members would drive a vehicle — which was often a U-Haul box truck — to the targeted location and fill it with cases of stolen beer, the indictment states. After arriving at their targets, the men would cut the locks off railroad cars or cut a hole in the fencing around the facilities.

The stolen beer would then be transported to the Bronx, where it was "inspected and then made available for sale," according to the indictment. Participating members in the thefts were "usually paid hundreds of dollars for the night’s work," the indictment states.

Seven members of the enterprise were identified as Miguel Cintron, 32; Luis Izquierdo, 40; Kemar Bonitto, 38; Wakeim Johnson, 31; Deylin Martinez-Guerrero, 28; Justin Bruno, 23; and Antonio Gonzalez, 33.

Six of the men were arrested and scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Bonitto remained in state custody in Connecticut.

"Train heists harken back to the days of the Wild West and gunslingers riding horses, stealing loot from rail cars," FBI Special Agent James Dennehy said in a statement. "The romanticized image has nothing to do with the modern-day criminals we allege took part in a theft ring in New Jersey, New York, and beyond that targeted rail yards and beverage distribution centers."

Enterprise leader promised over $100K to participants

Prosecutors accused Cesari of being the leader of the enterprise, who was often present during the group's thefts. During certain robberies, Cesari would use a police scanner to monitor potential police activity, according to the indictment.

Cesari also at one point in April 2023 “robbed at gunpoint a railroad car stationed in Fresh Pond Yard in Queens, New York,” the indictment states.

In addition to participating in these heists, Cesari recruited new members through social media "with promises of monetary gain," the indictment states. Around July 24, 2022, Cesari made several Instagram posts attempting to recruit members.

One of the posts included a background of a railroad track and text stating: "Need workers who want to make money," with a moneybag emoji, and had a "yes" or "no" button, according to the indictment. In another post, Cesari said participants would be guaranteed over $100,000 a month if they followed the "beer train method."

Cesari initially remained at large but surrendered to authorities Thursday morning, according to CNN.