Monrovia Man Among Three Suspected in Motorcycle Theft Ring

By City News Service

Three men who allegedly orchestrated a motorcycle theft ring are facing criminal charges, prosecutors announced today.

The suspected mastermind, Felipe Galicia, 40, of Monrovia, is charged alongside Daniel Hernandez, 21, of El Monte, and Victor Manuel Coca, 45, of Los Angeles.

They allegedly had a number of crews working for them that would scout sites to steal motorcycles, with the men then changing the motorcycles' vehicle identification numbers so they could be sold.

The three are charged with more than 30 counts each, including chop shop operation, unlawful vehicle identification activity and receiving stolen property, along with an allegation that the crimes involved the taking of more than $150,000.

Galicia and Coca pleaded not guilty Thursday in Alhambra Superior Court and are due back in court Jan. 24 to get a date for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require them to stand trial.

Hernandez, who is free on bail, is set to be arraigned at a later date.

Also charged in connection with the alleged ring are: Reymond Robles, 39, of Los Angeles, Dean Richard Campa, 43, of Glendale, Antonio Venegas, 34, of Paramount, Salvador Rodriguez and Daneil Dejesus, both 37 and of Compton, and Omar Gomez, 25, of Bell Gardens.

The charges stem from a three-month investigation by the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention, which includes representatives from a number of agencies, including the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol.