Suspects arraigned in theft of armored truck from Valley Stream

Two suspects allegedly responsible for stealing an armored truck from outside the Valley Stream HSBC branch on Sunrise Highway were arraigned on Dec. 21.

According to federal prosecutors, Alexis Laguerra was working for Gardaworld, a corporation that operates armored cars carrying cash and other valuables, when he devised a scheme to steal more than $500,000 dollars from the HSBC bank on Nov. 2.

Court documents state that Laguerra and Raymond Soto Sr. and Raymond Soto Jr. reported the armored truck was stolen before stealing three bags containing $170,000 each from the bank. The truck was abandoned on South Central Avenue shortly after, according to Nassau County police.

The documents further allege that Soto Jr. that morning instructed Laguerra to delete a text message exchange about the alleged theft in an attempt to “alter, destroy, mutilate and conceal a record, document and other object.”

At his arraignment on Dec. 21, Soto Sr. pleaded not guilty and was held without bail. Laguerra also pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn federal court and was released on $250,000 bail. Soto Jr. has not yet been arrested.

The Herald previously reported that an armored truck was reported stolen and that the truck was found shortly before sunset.