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Teen Driver Accused Of Killing Toddler Arrested For Robbing Apartment


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Jul 19, 2014

Modified Jul 24, 2017


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By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Jul 19, 2014

Modified Jul 24, 2017


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Franklin Reyes, the then-unlicensed teenage driver who allegedly fatally struck 4-year-old Ariel Russo on the Upper West Side last year, has been arrested and charged with looting a dead woman's apartment.

Authorities say the now 18-year-old Reyes and his 45-year-old father stole over $2,000 worth of property and cash from the Chelsea apartment of an elderly woman who had recently succumbed to brain cancer. Reyes's father, also named Franklin Reyes, worked as the building's superintendent; prosecutors say looted items included a watch, a Nikon camera, jewelry, wine and shoes.

The Reyeses allegedly robbed the apartment on June 5th, exactly one year and a day after Ariel was killed while crossing at West 97th and Amsterdam Avenue with her grandmother; then-17-year-old Reyes had been on his way to his high school when he struck her. The elder Reyes was arrested and charged with larceny last month. The younger Reyes was arraigned yesterday on petit larceny charges, and held on $3,500 cash bail. He currently faces manslaughter charges, among others, for the toddler's death, and could spend up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Tagged

ariel russo

Chelsea

franklin reyes

manhattan

theft


Rebecca Fishbein

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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