Posted on: August 03, 2023 10:00 AM

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DOI arrests FDNY EMT on charges of theft

ocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”), announced the arrest on Wednesday, August 2, of an Emergency Medical Technician (“EMT”) employed by the New York City Fire Department (“FDNY”) on charges of stealing $600 from a DOI undercover investigator posing as an ill patient.

This type of undercover operation, also known as an integrity test, was prompted by theft allegations involving this EMT. The office of Queens County District Attorney Melinda Katz is prosecuting the case. Luis Carrillo, 43, of Corona, N.Y., was charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, and Petit Larceny and Official Misconduct, both class A misdemeanors. Upon conviction, a class E felony is punishable by up to four years in prison; a class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to a year’s incarceration. Carrillo Jr., was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court late Wednesday night and released on his own recognizance. He is scheduled to return to court on October 6, 2023. DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “

This defendant took an oath to provide emergency medical assistance with diligence and compassion, but instead used his position to steal from an individual who appeared to be in need of care, according to the charges. The disgraceful charged conduct stands in stark contrast to the FDNY’s countless EMTs who act with honor and integrity every day, delivering critical care to New Yorkers in need. I thank the Queens District Attorney for the prosecution of this matter and the FDNY and NYC Health + Hospitals for their collaboration on this integrity test, which exposed the wrongdoing alleged in this case.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said: “At our most vulnerable, we as a city should be able to trust those charged with our care. The city entrusts EMTS to do just that and that trust was allegedly violated in this case. Thank you to the Department of Investigation for their work. My office will hold the defendant to account.” According to the criminal complaint, DOI conducted an integrity test at about 3:26 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens, in which a DOI undercover investigator (the “Undercover”) posed as a patient in need of medical assistance. The Undercover was transported to Elmhurst Hospital in Queens (the “Hospital”) for treatment, in an ambulance staffed by the defendant, an EMT. During the transport the Undercover saw the defendant remove the Undercover’s wallet, which contained $1,100 in marked bills. Once the Undercover was dropped off at the Hospital, he discovered that $690 was missing from his wallet. A team of DOI investigators conducted surveillance of the operation, and stopped the 2 ambulance after it left the Hospital. DOI investigators approached the defendant, who was in the ambulance, and recovered $600 in marked bills from the defendant’s front right pocket. Investigators did not find the additional $90 that was missing from the undercover investigator’s wallet. The defendant was immediately arrested. Carrillo Jr., has been employed as an EMT since October 2012, receives an annual salary of approximately $59,534, and was suspended upon his arraignment on criminal charges.

(From NYC DOI's Office)