NYPD detective Saul Arismendy De La Cruz took bribes to help robbers targeting Asian-Americans avoid arrest: feds
An NYPD detective took bribes from a robbery crew — who targeted Asian-Americans for their thefts — in order to help them avoid getting arrested, federal prosecutors alleged Thursday.
Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, 31, as an NYPD officer — and later as a detective — allegedly “helped” ringleader Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez and his four-man crew “evade arrest” in exchange for bribes from 2017 through 2022, according to a White Plains federal indictment.
Soto-Ramirez — who went by aliases including “Pito,” “Felix Correa” and “Jacob Guzman” — pulled together the group that carried out “scores’ of home robberies in New York and throughout the country, according to the charging document.
The men, armed with guns and other weapons, stole money, jewelry and other property from their marks, the majority of whom were Asian-American small business owners, the court papers claim.
They chose their targets “including by stalking victims, conducting internet research and compensating tipsters,” the indictment alleges.
De La Cruz — who went by the nicknames “Nene” and “Venom” in the theft gang — had a $143,092 salary in 2022, as a Field Intelligence Officer assigned to the 100 Precinct in Queens, according to public records. He was, however, suspended without pay that November amid a federal probe over an off-duty shooting he was allegedly involved in, The Post reported at the time.
De La Cruz retired in December 2022, according to the NYPD.
The now-former officer and co-defendants Edwin Luciano Rodriguez-Genoa, 48, Santiago Xavier Maldonado, 43, and Diego Muelas-Gonzalez, 26, were all arraigned before White Plains Magistrate Judge Judith McCarthy Thursday.
Soto-Ramirez, 41, of The Bronx, was still at large.
All five men are charged with racketeering conspiracy and face up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
Soto-Ramirez is also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and brandishing a firearm and he faces up to life in prison if convicted on the top count.
“This crew stole substantial quantities of cash and valuables from dozens of families in New York and across the country, predominantly targeting Asian-American small business owners,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.
“And, as alleged, they bribed an NYPD detective in an attempt to get away with it.”
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell added: “There will always be zero tolerance in the NYPD for corruption of any kind. And our investigators, in close partnership with all of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to ensure that it is punished to the fullest extent possible.”
In a statement, De La Cruz’s lawyer said his client maintained his innocence.
“Saul De La Cruz is a highly decorated former detective with the NYPD who served honorably for over eight years. He voluntarily left the Department last December,” attorney Howard Tanner told The Post. “Saul maintains his innocence and I look forward to vigorously defending him in this case.”
Maldonado’s lawyer Joseph Caldarera said: “Every individual, no matter their circumstances, deserves a fair trial and a strong defense, and I am honored to be able to provide that for my client.”
Lawyers for Rodriguez-Genoa and Muelas-Gonzalez didn’t immediately return requests for comment Thursday. It was unclear if Soto-Ramirez had an attorney.
Additional reporting by Craig McCarthy
