Mount Vernon Man Arrested For String Of Livery Cab Robberies

Joon H. Kim, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Ashan M. Benedict, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”), and James P. O’Neill, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today the unsealing of a complaint charging ALLANMON MAVUMKAL with a Hobbs Act robbery spree involving at least 10 livery cabs in the Bronx, Mt. Vernon, and Yonkers, during which MAVUMKAL robbed the cab drivers of cash, personal items, and their cabs at knife-point. MAVUMKAL surrendered on October 1, 2017, and will be presented today in Manhattan federal court before the Honorable Gabriel W. Gorenstein.

Acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said: “As alleged, Allanmon Mavumkal preyed on innocent livery cab drivers who had the misfortune of responding to Mavumkal’s call for a ride. Protecting hardworking New Yorkers from acts of violence is always a priority of this Office.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan M. Benedict said: “Mavumkal is alleged to have engaged in a pattern of armed robberies and carjackings of taxi drivers, extending from the Bronx to Mount Vernon and Yonkers. Over the course of barely a month, he allegedly repeatedly preyed on hard working New Yorkers trying to do nothing more than to earn an honest living. Today’s charges send a clear message that we and our law enforcement partners stand at the ready to bring violent offenders to justice.”

NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: "This series of violent robberies ended thanks to the hard work of investigators who worked diligently until this individual was identified and taken into custody. The NYPD will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect communities and ensure that this individual is held accountable for his actions."

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court:[1]

On September 21, 2017, MAVUMKAL hailed a livery cab in the Bronx, and directed the driver to a particular destination. After arriving at the drop-off location, MAVUMKAL threatened the driver with a large knife, which was captured on video from the cab, ordered the driver out of the cab, and then drove away in the cab. The investigation is continuing.

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MAVUMKAL, 30, of Mount Vernon, New York, is charged with one count of Hobbs Act robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Kim praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and the NYPD.

If you believe you were a victim of this crime, including a victim entitled to restitution, and you wish to provide information to law enforcement and/or receive notice of future developments in the case or additional information, please contact Wendy Olsen-Clancy, the Victim Witness Coordinator at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, at , or Wendy.Olsen@usdoj.gov (link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail). For additional information, go to: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nys/victimwitness.html.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Justin V. Rodriguez is in charge of the prosecution.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.