Three Arrested for Grand Larceny In Key Fob Swap At Car Dealership

On March 4, 2023, at approximately 2:20 pm the Clarkstown Police Department responded to the Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on Rt. 304 in Nanuet, NY regarding a key fob swap incident.

Arriving officers were told by an employee of Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge that two males entered the dealership looking to purchase a used Jeep Grand Cherokee earlier in the day. The dealership provided a key fob to the men so that they could inspect the vehicle, it was at this time that the employee believes the suspects switched the fobs, handing the fraudulent fob to the salesman. This went unnoticed until after both suspects had left the dealership.

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau were aware of similar complaints from several dealerships in the region. A detail was created consisting of detectives, CPD Street Crime Unit and midnight patrol officers. The thought was that the suspects would return that evening to steal the vehicle in question. At approximately 11:35 pm on March 4, 2024, the suspects vehicle from earlier in the day did in fact return to the dealership and two males were observed entering the Grand Cherokee on the dealership lot. As an officer approached them and boxed the vehicle in, the two suspects exited the Jeep and ran from the scene with our officers in pursuit. Both suspects were apprehended and identified as Joel Belen, a 19 year old male from the Bronx, and Mankamang Ceesay, a 20 year old male from the Bronx. Mr. Ceesay was located only after two of our officers entered the swampy area of the cloverleaf of Palisades Interstate Parkway and the NYS Thruway. The two officers were assisted by the CPD Drone Unit and NYS Police in locating and removing the suspect to safety. The suspect, when apprehended, appeared to be in distress caused by the frigid temperature of the swampy water. EMS was on scene and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

As the foot pursuits were occurring the driver of the suspects vehicle failed to stop for our trailing detectives. The suspect subsequently crashed his vehicle in the area of Old Mill Rd and Snake Hill Rd. He then attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. The third suspect (driver of the vehicle) was identified as Isaac Boateng, a 21 year old male from the Bronx.

Mr. Joel Belen was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and Conspiracy (misdemeanor). Mr. Belen was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where bail was set at $10,000.00. He was placed in the custody of the RC Sherriffs and transported to the RC Jail.

Mr. Mankamang Ceesay was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor) and False Impersonation (misdemeanor). Mr. Ceesay was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

Mr. Isaac Boateng was placed under and charged with 2 counts of Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor), Conspiracy 5 (misdemeanor) and several NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law infractions. Mr. Boateng was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court where he was remanded to RC Jail on a warrant.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.