Brentwood pawnshop owner, 7 others indicted in stolen property fencing scheme 

Grand jurors have indicted a Brentwood pawnshop owner and seven other people in what Suffolk prosecutors have alleged was a “massive stolen property fencing operation” that operated for more than two years.

Law enforcement officials in August announced the arrest of alleged ringleader Carlos Ulloa, 50, of Patchogue, the owner of EZ Cash Pawn & Jewelry shop on Brentwood Road. 

Court records show indictments against Ulloa include felony charges of enterprise corruption, money laundering, criminal possession of stolen property, conspiracy and weapon offenses.

Law enforcement officials previously said they seized five truckloads of stolen items, including expensive wristwatches, designer handbags, kitchen appliances, flat-screen TVs and nearly $900,000 in cash in connection with the investigation.

Authorities have alleged Ulloa also leased an East Patchogue warehouse where stolen items were stored.

Thieves would swipe the goods from major retailers such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Petco, Macy’s and Target and sell them to the pawnshop, prosecutors said.

EZ Cash would then photograph and store the items, resell them online and launder the proceeds, according to allegations.

Attorney David Besso, who represents Ulloa and two corporations his client owns that also were indicted, told Newsday on Thursday that Ulloa had pleaded not guilty “to each and every count” and was free on $2 million bond.

The lawyer added that Ulloa “contests the allegations of the district attorney” and would “vigorously” fight the charges.

Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney said in a statement while announcing the indictments Thursday that he’s made investigations of organized retail thefts “a number one priority” since he took office.

“In Suffolk County, you cannot steal other people’s property,” the statement added.

Authorities said previously that Brookhaven officials shuttered the pawnshop and issued multiple related citations.

Others indicted in the alleged scheme include: Henry Delgado, 41, of Patchogue; Sandra Hinds, 45, of Brentwood; and five others.

Court records show all the defendants entered not guilty pleas during arraignments.

Authorities have alleged Delgado laundered the proceeds of stolen merchandise sales and said a corporation he owns also was indicted.

Delgado's attorney, William Keahon, said Thursday: "Respectfully, through my investigation up to this point, it's my position he's completely innocent of these charges. And that will be established in the coming dates."

Hinds, who also uses the surname Palomino, managed the pawnshop and its employees, according to prosecutors.

Her attorney, George Duncan, said Thursday that his client maintains her innocence and "did not profit or have any knowledge of what was going on."