Multi-state 'Operation Golden Ticket' leads to charges against crime ring that hit Swansea

View video from the robbery

SWANSEA — Police said a crime ring that robbed a Verizon store in town in addition to robberies in three other states has been stopped.

According to a release from Swansea police William “Willy Wonka” Rodriguez a/k/a “Chocolate Man” , 47, Chepiel “Chep” Sanchez, 40, Ignacio “Iggy” Duran, 41, all of Lawrence, and Nelson “Pito” Rodriguez, 43, of Fitchburg, were recently indicted by an Essex County grand jury on 177 counts.

According to police, Rodriguez, was arraigned on 60 counts, including two counts of conspiracy, 14 counts of breaking and entering in the night to commit a felony, nine counts of possessing burglarious tools, 11 counts of breaking into a safe or depository, 12 counts of receiving stolen motor vehicle, subsequent offense, nine counts of larceny, a count of receiving stolen property, a count of resisting arrest, and assault dangerous weapon.

Sanchez was indicted on 61 counts, including two counts of conspiracy, 14 counts of breaking and entering in the night to commit a felony, nine counts of possessing burglarious tools, 11 counts of breaking into a safe or depository, 11 counts of receiving stolen motor vehicle, nine counts of larceny, receiving stolen property, two counts of resisting arrest, money laundering, and assault dangerous weapon.

Duran was indicted on 10 counts, including two counts of conspiracy, possessing burglarious tools, two counts of breaking and entering in the night to commit a felony, two counts of breaking into a safe or depository, receiving stolen motor vehicle, larceny, and resisting arrest.

Rodriguez was arraigned on 44 counts, including two counts of conspiracy, trafficking in fentanyl over 10 grams, six counts of possessing burglarious tools, nine counts of breaking and entering in the night to commit a felony, seven counts of breaking into a safe or depository, seven counts of receiving stolen motor vehicle, subsequent offense, six counts of larceny and receiving stolen property.

The Swansea charges stem from an incident on Feb. 19 following a breaking and entering, and larceny from the Verizon store at 728 GAR Highway. Police said the store was broken into on the night of Feb. 18 and during the early morning hours on Feb. 19 by the same three individuals, while another patrolled the area acting as a look-out.

Police said after the first entry was made the crew stole approximately $90,000 worth of merchandise. During the second entry the crew cut open multiple safes and stole a little over $2,000.

After a lengthy investigation, officers were able to tie this incident to a ring of crimes across four states including, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. Swansea Detective Keith Chomka worked closely on a six month investigation with the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police and more than 50 other agencies in a task force on “Operation Golden Ticket” in attempts to identify and arrest these individuals.

Following court appearances Rodriguez was held on $500,000, and for violation of his parole out of New Hampshire. Sanchez, was held on $200,000; Rodriguez was held on $60,000; Duran was held on $15,000.

The defendants are due back in Salem Superior Court on October 11.