NEWARK, NJ – An elaborate insurance scam operated by an Orange resident in the City of Newark came to an end after police began investigating.
Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara reports the arrest of Anthony Greene, 34, of Orange, who was charged with the theft of 13 vehicles by having them towed and junked using false insurance documents.
According to Director O’Hara, the investigation, conducted by the Auto Squad, determined that Green walked up to older model vehicles parked on city streets and collected their vehicle identification numbers from October 22, 2021 to November 30, 2021.
“After getting the vehicle information, Director O’Hara said Greene contacted a tow company to junk the vehicles and he would get insurance placed on the vehicles, using the location of the theft as his home address,” O’Hara sai.d
When the tow truck operator arrived, Director O’Hara said Greene provided proof of an insurance card and the vehicle would be towed.
In all of the thefts, the victims contacted police and filed reports that said their parked vehicles were missing when they returned to drive them. Among the vehicles taken were a 1999 Cadillac Escalade, a 2004 Lexus and a 2002 Honda Odyssey van.
“One victim, a Bloomfield resident who does not know Greene, walked into the 5th Precinct on November 30, 2021, and told police officers that she parked the van at 8:35 a.m. at the corner of East Alpine Street and Sherman Avenue,” the Newark Department of Public Safety said in a release. “When she returned at 3:35 p.m., the vehicle was gone. An investigation determined Greene was captured on surveillance video standing next to the van before driving off in another car. Moments later, a tow truck company, which had been contacted by Greene, pulled up and towed the van.”
None of the victims knew Greene or had given him permission to take their vehicles.