5 members of Tekashi69’s security indicted in Harlem robbery case

NYC- Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s private security guards were indicted Monday on robbery charges.

The five men who were indicted chased an unknown victim through Harlem in SUV’s with sirens on and flashing lights as if they were police.

“A celebrity entourage is not a police department, and Manhattan is not the Wild West,” said Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance.

“As alleged, these highly-compensated vigilantes caravanned through the streets of Harlem with sirens flashing in order to track a man down and steal and break his phone” Vance said.

The incident happened in Harlem on Aug. 9, 2020 when the 34-year-old victim and his girlfriend saw the Brooklyn rapper and decided to record him with their cellphones, according to court docs.

In response, 6ix9ine’s security crew allegedly chased the couple for almost 20 blocks.

A former NYPD Detective, Daniel Laperuta, 44, was was charged in the indictment allegedly tried to cover up the incident.

When the male victim flagged down police, Laperuta lied and told police that the victim had threatened them with a gun.

The team chased the victim near 125th St., according to court docs. Sammy Spouse, a member of 6ix9ine’s crew allegedly opened the victim’s car door, took off his seatbelt and pulled his arm, knocking the victims phone onto the ground, where another security guard Kristian Fuhse, allegedly stomped on it to destroy the video of Tekashi.

Another entourage member, Egardo Cortez , allegedly wrestled with the victim as he tried to get his phone back. Laperuta allegedly waked up to the victim with his hand on his holstered gun and Christian Cortez, another member of 6ix9ine’s crew, allegedly pointed a taser at the victim.

All 5 men then fled after an unmarked police car pulled up to them.

Afterwards Laperuta went into a police precinct and attempted to file a false report about the incident but left when he was confronted by an NYPD lieutenant.

Laperuta pleaded not guilty on Monday.

According to court documents, the following charges were filed.

Against Laperuta:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count
• Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count

Against Sprouse:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count

Against Christian Cortez:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count

Against Egardo Cortez

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count

Against Fuhse:

• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count
• Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree, a class E felony, one count

AP contributed to this story.

Photo credit: Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images