Former Detective Tipped Off Criminal Enterprise, Accepted Bribes for Confidential Police Information
Former New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer and detective, Saul Arismendy De La Cruz, a/k/a “Nene,” a/k.a. “Venom,” pled guilty today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy to racketeering conspiracy for his involvement with a violent theft crew.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, alongside FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
De La Cruz, 33, of Queens, admitted to participating in a criminal enterprise that committed bribery and theft. As alleged in the indictment, De La Cruz accepted bribes in exchange for providing crew members with confidential police information about potential victims and ongoing investigations. Critically, when De La Cruz learned the FBI was planning to arrest members of the crew, he allegedly tipped them off, allowing them to flee.
Betrayal of Trust
The disgraced former officer was one of several defendants charged in connection with a crew led by fugitive Dagoberto Soto-Ramirez, a/k/a “Pito.” Between 2017 and 2022, the crew allegedly committed residential burglaries and home invasion robberies, often targeting Asian American small business owners across several states, stealing money and jewelry while armed with guns and other weapons. De La Cruz’s role involved accepting bribes to help the crew escape arrest…