Press Release  District Attorney Blodgett Announces Guilty Pleas and Sentencing in Operation Golden Ticket

Lawrence, Massachusetts — Operation Golden Ticket, a six-month long investigation, led by the Essex District Attorney's Office, involving over 60 law enforcement agencies from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, concluded today with the change of plea and sentencing of the lead defendant William Rodriguez, a/k/a Willy Wonka a/k/a Chocolate Man. 

Operation Golden Ticket culminated two months ago with the indictment of four men, who were eventually charged admitted involvement in a total of 38 burglaries and 20 car thefts over the last year, totaling over $900,000 in stolen cash and property.

Today, William Rodriguez, a/k/a Willy Wonka a/k/a Chocolate Man, 47, was sentenced to eight years in state prison today after admitting to 36 commercial burglaries in 4 states in what is believed to be the largest burglary prosecution in the history of Massachusetts. Following the 8 year sentence, he is expected to proceed to New Hampshire where he awaits a parole violation for an outstanding sentence imposed in that state. 

Judge Thomas Drechsler imposed the sentence after Rodriguez pleaded guilty to additional indictments in Salem Superior Court today.

Chepiel “Chep” Sanchez also pled guilty today to additional indictments charging him with ten burglaries and the receipt of five stolen motor vehicles associated with those crimes. He was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in state prison.

Nelson “Pito” Rodriguez, 43, pleaded guilty Monday, November 5, 2018, to a 24 count indictment charging 6 burglaries and 4 car thefts. He is due to be sentenced on Thursday, November 8, 2018, to a term of 8 to 10 years in state prison.

Ignacio “Iggy” Duran, 41, pleaded guilty yesterday to a 9 count indictment, charging 2 burglaries and 1 car theft. He is due to be sentenced on Thursday, November 8, 2018, to a term of 8 to 10 years in state prison.

“Every night for over the past year, these defendants presented a danger to law enforcement and business owners throughout New England,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.  “Beyond the physical danger posed by such break-ins and the multiple high-speed car chases that this crew engaged in, there was great financial harm inflicted by these crimes.  Even during unsuccessful break-ins where no money is taken can cause upwards of $50,000 in damage, let alone the loss of the money and products if successful. These costs can force a small business to close its doors for good, cut employees to make up the loss, or impose burdens on the business that everyone absorbs through higher prices. I am proud that my Office was able to lead such a dedicated team of law enforcement officers who put an end to the crime wave committed by this crew.”

“This prosecution is unprecedented in Massachusetts history not only for the number of burglaries solved and prosecuted but also for the speed with which the cases were resolved through guilty pleas.  All of the defendants have pleaded guilty, numerous cold case historical burglaries around the region were solved, the defendants were held accountable, and their criminal enterprise has been destroyed,” said Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.  “This type of result speaks to the excellent work of lead prosecutor Philip Mallard and the strength of the team built by Sgt. LaBarge of the Massachusetts State Police.”

Essex Assistant District Attorney Philip Mallard attributed the breadth and speed of the resolution of this case to the unprecedented collaboration and cooperation of over 60 law enforcement agencies throughout New England.  As ADA Mallard noted at sentencing this morning, “this case and investigation were unparalleled in terms of the number of burglary and car theft incidents charged and prosecuted, and for the significant sentences that were achieved. The convictions and sentences in this case have dismantled the ‘Wonka Crew,’ which terrorized local businesses over the past year. The lengthy state prison sentences will incarcerate these offenders for the next decade and will send a clear deterrent message to those offenders who would target businesses in New England.”

According to Court papers, Operation Golden Ticket has led to convictions for 39 commercial burglary incidents and 20 stolen motor vehicles that were used in the commission of those burglary offenses. The following burglary incidents committed by the “Willy Wonka” Burglary Crew were solved through Operation Golden Ticket (amounts stolen are approximate):

1. 8/25/17, Providence, RI – Break-in to Bank of America ($100,000 currency)
2. 9/4/17, Lawrence, MA – Break-in to TD Bank (attempted)
3. 9/8/17, Medford, MA – Break-in to United Check Cashing ($40,000 currency)
4. 9/23/17, Worcester, MA – Break-in to TD Bank (attempted)
5. 10/22/17, Lawrence, MA – Break-in to Bank of America (attempted)
6. 10/25/17, Greenland, NH – Break-in to Citizens Bank (attempted)
7. 10/8/2017, Belchertown, MA – Break-in to Bank of America ($50,000 currency)
8. 11/3/17, Providence, RI - Break-in to Santander Bank  ($80,000 currency)
9. 12/21/17, Dover, NH – Break-in to Bank of America (attempted)
10. 1/3/18, Methuen, MA - Break-in to Walgreens, TD Bank ATM ($29,000 currency)
11. 1/5/18, Salem, NH – Break-in to Bank of America (attempted)
12. 1/6/18, Newington, NH – Break-in to Gulf Gas Station
13. 1/19/18, Leicester, MA - Break-in to Country Bank ATM ($32,000 currency)
14. 1/25/18, Fitchburg, MA - Break-in to Cashlink Check Cashing ($60,000 currency)
15. 2/2/18, Gardner, MA - Break-in to Bank of America ATM (attempted)
16. 2/4/18, Cranston, RI - Break-in to Advance America Cash Advance
17. 2/7/18, Boston, MA - Break-in to Quality Market / Western Union
18. 2/9/18, Needham, MA – Break-in to Dunkin Donuts ($3,600)
19. 2/9/18, Needham, MA – Break-in to Gulf Gas Station
20. 2/10/18, Portsmouth, NH – Break-in to Enterprise Rent-a-Car ($150,000 in vehicles)
21. 2/10/18, Waltham, MA – Break-in to Healthpoint Fitness ($52,000 from ATM)
22. 2/19/18, Malden, MA - Break-in to U-Haul
23. 2/19/18, Medford, MA - Break-in to United Check Cashing ($10,000 currency)
24. 2/19/18, Swansea, MA - Break-in to Verizon Wireless ($90,000 merchandise)
25. 2/24/18, Dayville, CT - Break-in to Verizon Wireless Store ($13,000 merchandise)
26. 2/24/18, Plainfield, CT - Break-in to Verizon Wireless Store ($40,000 merchandise)
27. 2/26/18, Bow, NH - Break-in to Speedway Gas Station
28. 2/26/18, Salem, NH – Break-in to IHOP Restaurant ($9,000)
29. 2/26/18, Salem, NH - Break-in to Verizon Store
30. 3/3/18, West Springfield, MA - Break-in to Florence Bank ATM ($60,000 currency)
31. 3/7/18, Hanover, MA - Break-in to Mobil Gas Station ($7,000 currency)
32. 3/16/18, Yarmouth, MA - Break-in to Doctor Wheels
33. 3/16/18, Bourne, MA - Break-in to Bank of America ATM
34. 3/16/18, Westwood, MA - Break-in to Ukrainian Federal Credit Union ($10,000 currency)
35. 3/24/18, Providence, RI – Break-in to Bank of America ATM ($60,000 currency)
36. 3/31/18, Plaistow, NH - Break-in to North Shore Bank ATM
37. 3/31/18, Needham, MA - Break-in to Speedway Gas Station
38. 4/21/18, Marlborough, MA - Break-in to Citizens Bank
39. 4/21/18, Attleborough, MA - Break-in to State Line Lottery ($12,000 cigarettes and currency)

On August 20^th, an Essex County Grand Jury secretly returned indictments alleging breaking and entering, larceny, conspiracy, and receiving stolen motor vehicles, in connection with the multi-state commercial burglary conspiracy.  The defendants were charged with committing 17 commercial and ATM burglaries and stealing 12 cars as part of their criminal enterprise. 

On September 24^th, fourteen days after his arraignment, Chepiel “Chep” Sanchez, 41, pleaded guilty to a 61 count indictment charging 17 burglaries and 11 car thefts.

On October 11^th, William “Willy Wonka” Rodriguez, a/k/a Chocolate Man, 47, pleaded guilty to a 60 count indictment charging 17 burglaries and 11 car thefts.

On October 24^th, an Essex Grand Jury returned additional indictments against William Rodriguez and Chepiel Sanchez alleging 22 additional burglaries and associated car thefts.

The case was prosecuted by lead prosecutor Essex County Assistant District Attorney Philip Mallard, with assistance by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Tafe of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Robert C. Labarge assigned to the Essex County State Police Detective Unit oversaw the regional investigation in coordination with ADA Mallard. Investigator James Carney of the Essex District Attorney's Office assisted with forensic analysis. Analysts from the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center, Boston Regional Intelligence Center, Attleborough Police, and Federal Bureau of Investigation also made significant contributions to the investigation.

Over 60 law enforcement agencies across New England contributed to the investigation, which was led by Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s Office. The following law enforcement agencies and sheriff departments joined in the investigation.  Attleboro, Belchertown, Boston, Bolton, Bourne, Chelmsford, Gardner, Greenland, Fall River, Fitchburg, Hanover, Harwich, Haverhill, Hudson, Lawrence, Leicester, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Medford, Methuen, Milford, Needham, Newburyport, Newton, Swansea, Springfield, Tyngsborough, Yarmouth, Wakefield, Waltham, West Springfield, Westwood, Worcester, in Massachusetts; Bedford, Bow, Dover, Nashua, Newington, Pelham, Peterborough, Plaistow, Portsmouth, and Salem, in New Hampshire; Cranston, Pawtucket, and Providence, in Rhode Island; Plainfield and Waterbury, in Connecticut, and Olde Orchard Beach in Maine.  The Essex County Sheriff Department, Boston Regional Intelligence Center, the Bristol County Sheriff Department, the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center, National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Massachusetts Department of Corrections, the Connecticut State Police, the New Hampshire State Police, New Hampshire Department of Correction, and the Rhode Island State Police also contributed to the investigation.  Assistance was also provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office in New Hampshire, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island.

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