Authorities Bring Down NJ Theft Ring That Targeted People Selling Cars On Craigslist
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) — Fourteen New Jersey residents are facing charges for their involvement with an auto theft ring that targeted people selling cars on Craigslist.
Thirty-eight-year-old Luther Lewis, of Piscataway and 36-year-old Tyisha Brantley, of Scotch Plains along with 39-year-old Justinas Vaitoska, of Palm Beach, Fla. were indicted as the ringleaders of the auto-theft network that involved the theft of multiple vehicles, valued at more than $200,000 according to officials.
Thirteen others were indicted for their alleged roles in the scheme, most of them also from New Jersey.
According to prosecutors, those individuals were directed by the ringleaders to pose as buyers interested in vehicles posted for sale on Craigslist. After arranging to see the cars, they would "purchase" them using counterfeit Bank of America cashier's check. The sellers would then hand over the keys and title.
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Title Flip," revealed that the "buyers" typically arranged to purchase the vehicles in the late afternoon so that the private seller could not bring the checks to the bank that day. When the private sellers did attempt to deposit the checks they discovered they were counterfeit.
Prosecutors say, the bogus sales could not be traced because the "buyers" had used fake identification. Another member of the ring would then take the vehicle title to NJ Motor Vehicle Commission office to transfer it to their name.
According to officials, this pattern was repeated 10 times between May and November of 2015 for a total of 10 cars, valued at $248,650. They were then sold to local car dealerships for cash, netting a $107,250 profit. The "buyers" were paid between $300 and $1000 each for their role.
"These alleged con artists trolled the Internet in a quest for cars they could steal through their fraudulent scheme," said Attorney General Christopher Porrino. "We will not let their predatory conduct go unpunished."
Lewis, Brantley and Vaitoska are facing several charges including first-degree promotion of organized street crime and second-degree leader of an auto theft network.
They were also indicted on charges of second-degree conspiracy and theft by deception, along with 54-year-old Milagros Jimenez, of Haines City, Fla., 20-year-old Heather Cater, of Woodbridge, 32-year-old Saint Hardy, of Elizabeth and 32-year-old Deborah Rodgers, of Carteret.
"Car thefts drive up insurance claims, which lead to higher premiums for everyone," said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, Christopher Iu. "By breaking up this alleged crime ring we are protecting honest citizens from having to pay the price for the misdeeds of others."
Nine alleged ring members were also indicted on a charge of fourth-degree falsifying records:
- Stephen Hester, 48, of Orange
- Chester Kinder, 62, of Newark
- Tassan Howard, 32, of Newark
- Kamilla Bunn, 20, of Elizabeth
- Tanika Arrington, 30, of Newark
- Javairia Jihad, 29, of East Orange
- Yvonne McBride,38, of Newark
- Marixa Medina, 31, of Newark
Another alleged ring member, 28-year-old Nakita Savage, of Newark, was previously indicted on charges of third-degree conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and fencing by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
If convicted, Lewis, Brantley and Vaitoska face up to 20 years in jail.
