Brooklyn, NY – Police in New York City have arrested 35 people linked to the violent Brooklyn-based Hoodstarz street gang following a year-long investigation into the organization’s activities.
A 94-count indictment returned Tuesday details the gang’s financing of violent crimes through fraudulent credit cards that members made and later used to buy a wide variety of items.
Prosecutors say the suspects acquired more than 750 illegally obtained credit card numbers from the internet and then used embossing machines to create counterfeit cards.
Gang members tested the cards by charging $1 at parking meters. They then purchased items ranging from drugs and guns to concert tickets to a pair of American Girl dolls.
The defendants have been charged with drug dealing, assault and criminal possession of stolen property among many other offenses.
