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Bronx resident Omar Willis, who was among three implicated in a burglary spree across southern Westchester two years ago, was arrested and released in October last year, fled the state, but was ultimately apprehended by police in Virginia.
Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said that when Willis skipped his arraignment, a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was taken into custody in Virginia several weeks ago and is now being held in the Westchester County Jail.
It is alleged that Willis, Latiek Frazier and Thomas Ricketts, both of the Bronx, burglarized businesses in Bronxville, Hartsdale, Larchmont, Mount Vernon, Pelham Manor, Rye Brook, Rye City and Yonkers between August 2019 and September 2019.
The three were also indicted for 10 different home burglaries, and two attempted home burglaries in the area.
The three men allegedly used large rocks to break windows to gain entry into homes.
Once inside the homes, it is alleged that the three would then steal thousands of dollars with of items, including safes, cash, jewelry, televisions, cameras, designer watches, pocketbooks, collector baseball cards, personal information, credit cards, and shoes.
During one of the burglaries the three also stole a $100,000 Porsche. In another, they found a 300-pound safe, which they threw down the stairs and hauled away, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to the inside of the home.
The burglary spree came to an end on Sept. 24, 2019, when they were interrupted by a homeowner after breaking into a Rye Brook home. When they were surprised by the homeowner, they ransacked the residence, stealing more than $3,000 in cash and other items.
Rocah noted that during the burglary spree, the three also took items of sentimental value including heirloom jewelry and birth certificates, Social Security cards and other historical family documents.
“In addition to stealing valuable possessions and ransacking the houses, Willis and his co-defendants robbed 10 families of their sense of security in their own homes,” Rocah said. “Some of these families lost cherished family keepsakes and irreplaceable family documents that were handed down over generations.”
Willis, 30, was charged with:
- 10 counts of second degree burglary;
- Five counts of third-degree grand larceny;
- Three counts of second-degree grand larceny;
- Two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny;
- Three counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property;
- Fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property;
- Third-degree criminal possession of stolen property;
- Criminal mischief;
- Attempted burglary.
Ricketts, who also failed to appear in court, remains at large and is wanted. Fraizer has been arraigned and is out on bail. No return court date for Willis has been announced.
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