Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx tow truck owner who ordered a fatal drive-by amid turf war faces life in prison
By
Liam Quigley
Published Aug 23, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Google Maps
By
Liam Quigley
Published Aug 23, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The operator of a Bronx auto body shop who swindled customers and insurance companies faces life in prison after pleading guilty to ordering a drive-by shooting targeting a rival tow truck company.
Christian “Coco” Lugo, 38, took over the Mott Haven body shop Certified Auto in 2019. That's where prosecutors in the Southern District of New York said he inflated repair bills and filed false claims.
Have a tip on tow trucks?
Have you had an experience with a towing company or autobody shop in New York City that you think is newsworthy?
Reporter Liam Quigley is working on a story about the industry.
Email [email protected] or message 929-687-1693 on Signal.
Lugo’s management of the shop took a violent turn in February 2022 when an employee driving an illegal tow truck got into a crash with another vehicle, prosecutors said.
The employee managed to convince the driver to have their vehicle hauled to Lugo’s shop. But workers from a rival towing operation caught wind of the crash, which they believed occurred on their shop’s turf. The crew attacked Lugo’s employee, according to prosecutors.
Lugo then ordered a drive-by shooting in retaliation that killed Gloria Ortiz, 39, and wounded two other people.
He pleaded guilty Thursday to directing the shooting, as well as scamming insurance companies.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herman said even though Lugo didn't pull the trigger, his actions caused Ortiz’s death.
“He allowed that violent confrontation to occur,” Herman said.
Lugo will remain at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn until his sentencing next year. His lawyer declined to comment.
Tagged
bronx
mott haven
new york city
public safety
transportation
Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .