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Allen Copeland Jr., 21, has been charged with attempted murder for his role in a series of recent incidents that spread from Manhattan, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Yonkers.
On Wednesday, Mount Vernon resident Eric Lee and New Rochelle resident Sincere Smith were arraigned in Mount Vernon City Court on second-degree murder charges following the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Trevon Boswell on Washington Street. 20-year-old Bronx resident John Oquendo is also facing weapons charges in Mount Vernon and a felony robbery charge in Yonkers.
The hunt for the alleged robbers began at approximately 3 a.m. on Monday morning in New Rochelle when two men reported being robbed and pistol whipped before their attackers took off in a taxi, police said.
Mount Vernon police said that a cell phone that was stolen in the process was tracked down using location-tracing software within the iPhone, and four suspects were approached by police on South 10th Avenue in the city.
Copeland, Lee and Smith all fled, but Oquendo was apprehended at the scene and a handgun was recovered. Following an intensive investigation, police tracked down the other three suspects, who have since been arraigned and remanded to Westchester County Jail. The suspects are all due back in court next month.
Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas said that the four are believed to be connected to a series of robberies in neighboring jurisdictions, including Yonkers, New Rochelle and Manhattan.
"The quick arrest makes clear that the new leadership of the Mount Vernon Police Department is focused on delivering justice as quickly as possible," Mount Vernon Mayor Thomas stated. “Modern technology has made 21st century policing more efficient, more collaborative and given better results. The people of Mount Vernon deserve a police force that is equipped with the tools necessary to get the job done, and, as mayor, I will not rest until the department is fully supported.”
“The use of technology is the standard for modern law enforcement agencies," acting Police Commissioner Shawn Harris said in a statement. "This homicide was solved in less than 24 hours due to a simple iPhone ping that enabled our officers to move fast and apprehend the suspects. Modern technology, from drones to video cameras, means more eyes on the street."
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