Four men indicted in sweeping auto theft and home burglary ring across South Jersey
Trenton, NJ – Four men are facing a 61-count indictment for their alleged roles in a coordinated car theft and home invasion conspiracy that targeted multiple communities across South Jersey, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Friday.
Tyree Payton, 25, and Jeremiah Lugo, 19, both of Clementon; Israel Ortiz, 23, of Sewell; and Sakie Smith, 30, of Philadelphia, are charged with a range of offenses including home invasion burglary, conspiracy, motor vehicle theft, credit card fraud, and other related crimes. The indictment was handed down by a state grand jury on October 22.
Investigators allege that between March 15 and May 23, the four defendants carried out a spree of thefts involving 11 stolen vehicles and at least four attempted thefts. In many cases, the suspects allegedly entered unlocked homes or vehicles to access key fobs and other property. Some incidents escalated to confrontations with homeowners, according to authorities.
One of the most serious incidents occurred on April 27 in Moorestown, when a 2024 BMW X4 was stolen from a home after a brief encounter with the homeowner. The suspects allegedly returned moments later to take the vehicle from the garage. Prosecutors say Payton was armed with what appeared to be a firearm during the second approach.
In another case on April 20, a Mercedes Benz S63 was stolen from Ventnor City after the victim left it unlocked with the keys inside. The car was later recovered near Philadelphia International Airport. Defendants are also accused of using stolen credit cards from these vehicles to make fraudulent purchases.
Authorities say the operation was part of a growing trend in organized theft rings exploiting unlocked vehicles and homes. The investigation was led by the Division of Criminal Justice and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, with support from more than a dozen local police departments across New Jersey and Philadelphia.
If convicted, the men face potential prison sentences ranging from 18 months to 20 years per charge depending on the degree of each offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Deputy Attorney General Melissa O’Mara and Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Newton. The indictment remains a set of accusations, and all four defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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Key Points
- Four men indicted on 61 charges in South Jersey vehicle theft and burglary ring
- Suspects allegedly stole cars, invaded homes, and used stolen credit cards
- Crimes occurred across Burlington County and surrounding jurisdictions over two months