The Manhattan district attorney has indicted three NYPD narcotics detectives for trying to steal bottles of Jay-Z’s pricey champagne, Ace of Spades.
According to the D.A.’s office, the officers were working at the Electric Zoo concert on Randall’s Island on Sept. 3, 2022.
When they were on duty, the two snuck into the VIP section to steal the expensive bottles from a party group that had ordered some rounds for guests. The bottles cost $2,900 to the big bag host.
Det. Jonathan Gonzalez, 33, plotted on the ballers’ section and waited until they left their table to go over and steal the bottles. After stealing the bottles, Jonathan Gonzalez, 33, placed them on the table with Det. and his two other colleagues. Wojciech Czech, 44, Det. Warren Golden, 31.
In the indictment, Gonzalez and Czech are each charged with grand theft in the fourth-degree. Gonzalez, along with another officer Golden, were charged for official misconduct. the Daily News reports.
In the criminal report it is stated that Gonzales placed the bottles in a backpack which he had purchased from Czech. They then left.
“At no time as the crime unfolded did Golden, who observed the conduct, take any action to intervene to prevent the theft or restore the stolen property to its owners,” prosecutors said.
The guests did not realize that one of them had recorded the whole ordeal, and reported it to the authorities. They were rolled over by a security guard, who made them empty their bags and return the bottles to the concert-goer that purchased them.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell cleared Manhattan North Narcotics when the news was announced.
The former narcs now try to defend themselves for taking the Champagne without paying for it.
“My client will be totally vindicated in this matter,” Golden’s attorney said regarding the officer.
Adding, “The charge is simply not supported by the facts and the DA’s office should never have brought this allegation.”
One of the other officer’s legal representation also released a statement on the indictment.
“(My client) is shocked and saddened by these allegations,” said Czech’s lawyer, Attorney Oliver Storch. “He has pleaded not guilty and asks the public to withhold judgement until the charges can be fully addressed in the appropriate forum. Det. Czech loves to save and protect lives.
No word on what Gonzalez’s lawyer is saying in his defense.
D.A. Alvin Bragg has a serious intention to prosecute this case due to its implications for public trust in law enforcement, criminal justice and the criminal system.
“In addition to the alleged theft that occurred, none of these officers stepped up and stopped this activity,” he said.
“Public confidence in the criminal justice system depends on members of law enforcement acting with the utmost integrity while on duty and following the same rules that apply to everyone else,” Bragg offered in a prepared statement on the indictment.
NYPD said it has launched an investigation and will “initiate further discipline where appropriate.”
Czech and Golden were suspended from their duties and arrested in connection with the alleged crimes. Gonzales will likely turn himself in to the police later this week.
