NYPD Officer Cops a Plea in Million-Dollar Perfume Heist

An NYPD officer has admitted he plotted and executed a $1 million dollar perfume warehouse rip-off in Carlstadt while holding 13 workers hostage.

Brian Checo, 24, pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Newark. Checo and several others, including fellow officers, plotted to rob the In Style USA warehouse in February. He said his group first discussed the plan back in December and spent weeks planning the heist.

Checo had worked at the 34th precinct in Washington Heights. Prosecutors said he had help from fellow NYPD officers Richard LaBlanca, Kevin Jones and former NYPD officer Orlando Garcia.

Checo admitted he also tried to cover up the crime after the robbery by falsely reporting his credit card and driver's license had been stolen. The FBI said Checo had used his identification to rent trucks that were used to cart away the high end fragrances.

The group entered the warehouse carrying guns and flashing their NYPD badges. Other co-conspirators allegedly helped tie up the employees inside while a group of day laborers who had been creduited by the robbers began to load the trucks.

Checo could face up to 20 years in prison for his role in the armed robbery. He is set to be sentenced on June 28 and remains behind bars at the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

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