Rockland Post Desk
Suffern, NY — A large, organized beer theft operation that included a break-in at a Suffern beverage facility has been shut down, federal authorities announced, with the ringleader now facing years in prison.
The theft ring targeted rail yards and beverage distribution centers across several states, stealing truckloads of popular beers including Corona and Modelo. One of the thefts occurred in Suffern, where authorities say approximately $14,000 worth of beer was taken during an overnight break-in.
According to federal prosecutors, the operation ran for more than a year and involved coordinated crews who broke into rail cars and warehouses after hours. The stolen beer was loaded into rental trucks and later resold on the black market.
The alleged leader of the enterprise, Jose Cesari of the Bronx, recruited members and organized the thefts, investigators said. The group operated across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, making the case a federal matter due to its interstate scope.
Cesari has since pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than five years in federal prison, bringing the investigation to a close. Several other individuals connected to the theft ring were also charged.
Local officials noted that while the Suffern incident may have appeared at first like a routine commercial burglary, it was ultimately tied to a much larger criminal operation.
“This wasn’t random,” one law enforcement source said. “It was organized, planned, and repeated.”
Authorities say the case highlights how organized theft rings are increasingly targeting large commercial shipments rather than individual retail stores.
Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity around industrial areas, rail facilities, and distribution centers, particularly during overnight hours.