NYPD officers stole almost $3,000 price of Jay-Z-brand champagne from VIP music competition company, prosecutors allege

• Three NYPD officers have been charged in connection to the theft of booze at a music competition. 
• Two had been accused of swiping nearly $3,000 price of champagne on the Electrical Zoo Pageant. 
• Prosecutors say the opposite officer who was charged did nothing to cease them.

Three New York Police Division detectives have been indicted in connection to the theft of just about $3,000 price of luxurious champagne from VIP company at an digital music competition whereas the officers had been alleged to be working, prosecutors mentioned.

Officers Jonathan Gonzalez, 33, Wojciech Czech, 44, and Warren Golden, 31, had been on narcotics enforcement responsibility on the Electrical Zoo Pageant on New York Metropolis’s Randall’s Island on September 3, 2022, when prosecutors allege the alcohol theft occurred in a VIP space, in keeping with court docket paperwork reviewed by Insider.

Prosecutors have accused Gonzalez and Czech of swiping two unopened bottles of the expensive Ace of Spades champagne from rapper Jay-Z’s line, and have alleged that Golden, who they are saying witnessed the act, did nothing to cease the heist. 

“Public confidence within the felony justice system will depend on members of regulation enforcement performing with the utmost integrity whereas on responsibility and following the identical guidelines that apply to everybody else,” Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg mentioned in an announcement asserting the costs on Monday. 

Czech and Golden had been arrested on Monday and suspended from responsibility, in keeping with the NYPD.

Czech was charged with two felonies —fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree felony possession of stolen property — whereas Golden was charged with official misconduct, which is a misdemeanor.

They each pleaded not responsible to the costs at their arraignments. 

Gonzalez, who prosecutors allege put the bottles of bubbly price $2,900 into his backpack, is being charged with grand larceny, felony possession of stolen property, and official misconduct. He’s anticipated to be arraigned later this week. 

Golden’s legal professional, Jacob Weinstein, instructed Insider that he believes his shopper “might be completely vindicated on this matter.”

“The cost is just not supported by the details and the DA’s workplace ought to by no means have introduced this allegation towards Officer Golden,” Weinstein mentioned. 

A lawyer for Czech instructed Insider that the 10-year police veteran is “shocked and saddened by these allegations.”

“Det. Czech has pleaded not responsible and asks the general public to withhold judgment till these costs may be totally addressed within the applicable discussion board,” legal professional Oliver Storch mentioned. 

An legal professional for Gonzalez didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. 

In the meantime, an NYPD spokesperson instructed Insider that the police division “will proceed to pursue the details on this investigation and provoke additional self-discipline the place applicable.”