NEWARK, NJ – Five North Jersey men have been arrested for stealing at least a dozen cars, mostly high-end vehicles, and fencing those vehicles, New Jersey Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said today.
“On March 3, Acting Attorney General Platkin announced that the New Jersey State Police and Division of Criminal Justice are expanding the Auto Theft Task Force by adding more detectives and prosecutors and by partnering with additional police departments from around the state,” Platkin said. “Acting AG Platkin is prioritizing efforts to reduce auto theft as part of a larger strategy to reduce violent crime and protect the people of New Jersey.”
The five defendants are variously charged with second- or third-degree receiving stolen property in connection with 12 stolen vehicles, including Land Rovers, BMWs, Jeeps, and an Audi Q8, among other makes. Hodges and Wiggins are charged with stealing a 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport worth approximately $90,000 from a restaurant in Margate, where it was left with the key fob inside, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office reported.
“We are working to reduce vehicle thefts by expanding the Auto Theft Task Force and urging drivers to follow common-sense tips, like always removing the key fob from your car to prevent thieves from easily driving it off and using it to commit more serious crimes,” said Acting Attorney General Platkin. “The biggest spike in car thefts involves luxury vehicles like the Land Rovers, BMWs, and other stolen cars allegedly trafficked by these defendants. We will continue to devote the resources necessary to investigate and prosecute car thieves and protect the public from this growing threat.”
“This indictment reflects our resolve to aggressively prosecute those responsible for the growing number of vehicle thefts in New Jersey,” said Director Lyndsay V. Ruotolo of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We are committed to collaborating with the New Jersey State Police and all of our task force partners to dismantle these auto theft rings and protect our communities.”
“These defendants allegedly sought out luxury car owners for their own financial gain, but as a result of the collaborative efforts by our detectives and task force partners, we were able to put an end to this high-end auto-theft ring,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The takedown of this criminal operation represents our commitment to targeting auto-theft, and these indictments deliver the message that anyone responsible for these criminal networks will be held accountable.”
The DCJ Specialized Crimes Bureau today obtained a 19-count grand jury indictment charging the following defendants:
- Quamir Hodges, 24, of Montclair, N.J.
- Dion Wiggins, 21, of Newark, N.J.
- Zaquan T. Wright, 19, of Newark, N.J
- Adrian Goolcharran, 37, of Jersey City, N.J., and
- Burdley Jean, 41, of Union City, N.J.