Update: Three Arrested for Key Fob Swap Leading to Attempted Car Theft

By Mindy Cohn

Update: March 7, 2024 - 1:56

The three suspects who were apprehended by the Clarkstown Police Department on March 4 were attempting to steal a car from the Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership on Rt. 304 in Nanuet at around 2:20 p.m. 

When the officers arrived, they were told by a Rockland Chrysler Jeep Dodge employee that two men had entered the dealership looking to purchase a used Jeep Grand Cherokee earlier in the day. The dealership provided a key fob to the men so that they could inspect the vehicle, it was at this time that the employee believes the suspects switched the fob with another they brought to the dealer and returned the fraudulent fob to the salesman. This went unnoticed until after both men had left the dealership.

The Clarkstown Detective Bureau, being aware of similar complaints from several dealerships, formed a detail consisting of detectives, the CPD Street Crime Unit, and the midnight patrol. The thought was that the suspects would return that evening to steal the vehicle in question. At approximately 11:35 p.m. on March 4, 2024, the suspect's vehicle from earlier in the day returned to the dealership, and two males were observed entering the Grand Cherokee on the dealership lot. As an officer approached them and boxed the vehicle in, the two suspects exited the Jeep and ran from the scene with the officers in pursuit. Both suspects were apprehended and identified as Joel Belen, a 19-year-old male from the Bronx, and Mankamang Ceesay, a 20-year-old male from the Bronx. Ceesay was located only after two officers entered the swampy area of the cloverleaf of Palisades Interstate Parkway and the NYS Thruway. The two officers were assisted by the CPD Drone Unit and NYS Police in locating and removing the suspect to safety. The suspect, when apprehended, appeared to be in distress caused by the frigid temperature of the swampy water. EMS was on the scene, and he was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

As the foot pursuits were occurring, the driver of the suspect's vehicle failed to stop for our trailing detectives. The suspect subsequently crashed his vehicle in the area of Old Mill and Snake Hill Road. He attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. The driver was identified as Isaac Boateng, a 21-year-old from the Bronx.

Joel Belen was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor), and Conspiracy (misdemeanor). Mr. Belen was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court, where bail was set at $10,000.00. He was placed in the custody of the RC Sherriffs and transported to the RC Jail. Mr. Mankamang Ceesay was placed under arrest and charged with Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Grand Larceny Auto (felony), Obstruct Governmental Administration (misdemeanor), and False Impersonation (misdemeanor). Mr. Ceesay was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

Isaac Boateng was placed under and charged with two counts of Grand Larceny 3 (felony), Resisting Arrest (misdemeanor), Conspiracy 5 (misdemeanor), and several NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law infractions. Mr. Boateng was arraigned in the Town of Clarkstown Justice Court, where he was remanded to Rockland County Jail on a warrant.

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• Original Article: March 5, 2024 - 2:39 PM

Three suspects were apprehended by the Clarkstown Police Department after attempting to steal a car from the Rockland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Nanuet last night.

Police responded to the scene around 11:30 p.m. and were able to apprehend the suspects before the car left the lot of  the dealership.