These Bronx detectives don’t have supernatural powers — but two operations, including one called Ghostbusters, took down fourteen people in a gun sales investigation today, authorities said.
Ringleader Reinaldo Romero, 27, who gave the operation its name because of his alias ‘Caspa,’ and other crooks affiliated with him allegedly sold 55 guns to undercovers—including seven assault rifles, police said.
Romero sold the weapons out of a Soundview barbershop he owned called Kache on Westchester Avenue, as well as out of his Van Nest home, to cops between April 2011 and November last year.
Most were loaded, and the assault rifles came with 30-round magazines. Some were brand-new, others were used. They were sold in the South Bronx, Soundview, and Baychester, authorities said.
The guns initially came from Ohio, but started coming in from Baltimore last year. “These guns are coming out of state,” said Detective Charles Lennon, the lead investigator on the case. The case started when police received a tip about the gun ring in Brooklyn.
The assault rifles sold for $1400 a pop, while pistols went for $900, cops said.
“They would have gone into the streets of the Bronx,” said Lennon.
Romero was charged with first-degree sale of a firearm, authorities said.
Angel Plass, 31, who went by the alias ‘Acura’ was extradited from East Lake, Ohio and arrested Tuesday, police said. He was charged with criminal sale of a firearm, in the third degree.
Elvis Montero, 25, was also extradited from Baltimore, and charged with criminal sale of a firearm, in the third-degree.
Four other people were arrested in a second investigation where they sold 85 guns from George and Virginia to an undercover detective.
“We appreciate the hard work of the NYPD in apprehending these alleged peddlers of illegal and often deadly weapons,” said Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson.