RI Man Stole From Businesses In 4 States: U.S. Attorney

CRANSTON, RI — A Cranston man arrested on suspicion of leading a crime ring responsible for stealing over $700,000 in equipment from businesses in four New England states pleaded guilty Wednesday to several interstate theft charges.

Jose A. Montes, 36, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and eight counts of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Montes led a group of nine people who stole boats, all-terrain vehicles trailers and more, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Rhode Island.

The thefts date back to October 2019, when four jet skis and two trailers were stolen from a business in Rehoboth, Massachusetts; two of the jet skis were later found by police in Cranston, according to prosecutors. A month later, a sport boat and trailer were stolen from a South Kingstown marina and later found by authorities in Sarasota, Florida.

In December 2019, two sport fishing boats and trailers were stolen from a Tiverton business. According to prosecutors, the boats were taken to Johnston, where the engine was removed from one of the boats. The boat without an engine was later found by police in Scituate; the other was found by authorities in Florida.

The thefts resumed in April 2020, when three Bobcat machines were stolen from a dealership in Auburn, Massachusetts. The stolen machines were later found by police in Rhode Island.

Later that month, a jet ski and trailer were stolen from a business in Waterford, Connecticut; they have yet to be found.

Prosecutors said in July 2020, Montes told a group of men in three vehicles to steal three jet skis and their trailers from a business in Easton, Massachusetts. A few days later, he and accomplices also stole four ATVs, three jet skis, two trailers and a three-wheeled sport vehicle from a business in Hampstead, New Hampshire.

The criminal cohort also tried to steal an ATV, a three-wheeled sport vehicle and a trailer from a Vernon, Connecticut, business in July 2020, but they were thwarted by police, prosecutors said.

Montes later admitted that after fleeing the scene, he and another person stole $58,000 worth of items from a business in Scranton.

An investigation into the crime ring was launched by the Johnston and North Providence police departments and conducted in collaboration with the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. Investigators later merged forces with the Rhode Island and Connecticut State Police and local authorities in Easton, Massachusetts, and Hampstead, New Hampshire.

Montes is scheduled to be sentenced August 3.