TRENTON Two men were indicted Monday and charged with stealing a 2020 Range Rover Sport from an unidentified Margate restaurant parking lot where it was left with the key fob inside.
Quamir Hodges, 24, of Montclair and Dion Wiggins, 21 of Newark, along with three other men, were charged with 19 counts following a Grand Jury investigation. All five defendants were charged with varying second- or third-degree receiving stolen property in connection with 12 stolen vehicles. The Range Rover was valued at $90,000.
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 NJ Division of Criminal Justice. We are committed to collaborating with the NJ State Police and all of our task force partners to dismantle these auto theft rings and protect our communities.
NJ State Police Col. Patrick J. Callahan said the defendants sought out luxury cars for their own gain, but the newly expanded Auto Theft Task Force is committed to sending a message that criminal networks will be held accountable.
Hodges, Wiggins and others allegedly conspired from September through December 2021 to receive stolen vehicles in seven counties.
Others charged in the indictment include Zaquan T. Wright, 19, of Newark; Adrian Goolcharran, 37, of Jersey City; and Burdley Jean, 41, of Union City. All were charged with conspiring to steal, receive and/or fence at least a dozen high-end vehicles worth approximately $600,000.
Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin March 3 warned residents about the 22% increase in overall thefts from 2020 to 2021. There were 14,320 vehicles reported stolen in New Jersey last year, resulting in 3,075 arrests, with some involving the commission of other, more violent crimes.
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 commit more serious crimes, Platkin said in a release.
He said the biggest spike in car thefts involves luxury vehicles like Land Rovers and BMWs.
Hodges and Wiggins are currently lodged in Monmouth County Jail pending trial.
Platkin offered the following tips to prevent vehicle theft:
Copyright Mediawize, LLC 2022
https://www.downbeach.com/2022/03/09/leaving-keys-in-vehicles-is-an-open-invitation-to-become-a-victim/
https://www.downbeach.com/2021/06/24/rash-of-motor-vehicle-thefts-prompts-advisories-from-3-downbeach-police-departments/
