By: Tracie Carter
Federal authorities have charged eight men, including five from Newark, in a large-scale scheme to steal luxury cars across New Jersey, New York, and other states.
The group allegedly conspired to transport and sell the stolen vehicles across state lines, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
The accused include Ahmad Franks, 24, also known as “Mahdi”; Shaquan White, 23, aka “QBandz”; Nathan Braswell, 20, aka “Troub”; Ibn Bellamy, 24, aka “YC”; and Zamir Wright, 20, aka “GBz,” all residents of Newark.
Ryan Bowen, 26, aka “Prob,” and Khyree Lawrence, 20, aka “6,” both from East Orange, New Jersey, along with Mohammed Buhari, 45, aka “Sakina,” from Woodbridge, Virginia, were also charged.
The defendants face charges related to conspiracy to handle, sell, or transport stolen vehicles across state lines.
Franks is additionally charged with five counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and one count of interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle, while Bellamy and Buhari face individual possession and sale charges.
Bellamy and Lawrence were arrested on November 6, 2024, and appeared before a federal judge in Newark.
Buhari is currently at large, and the other defendants remain in custody on prior charges, with future court appearances pending.
“These men are accused of organizing a bold scheme to steal high-end cars, preying on our community, and profiting from illegal activities,” said U.S. Attorney Sellinger. “These charges demonstrate our dedication to working closely with law enforcement to protect residents from crimes driven by greed and aimed at victimizing innocent people.”
According to case filings, investigators began tracking a rise in luxury car thefts in November 2021.
They discovered that the defendants, along with other co-conspirators, allegedly coordinated the theft, concealment, sale, and transportation of high-value cars in multiple states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia.
Some stolen vehicles were even used in additional crimes, from other car thefts to violent acts, including shootings and a homicide.
Between November 2021 and July 2022, Franks allegedly shared photos of more than 400 suspected stolen cars with other participants.
Fourteen of these vehicles, valued collectively at over $550,000, are highlighted in the charges.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison for the conspiracy charge, with additional counts of vehicle possession or transportation carrying potential penalties of ten years in prison and significant fines.
CLARIFICATION: A precious image of a Shaquan White sent by officials, who is also in the Essex County system, was removed and replaced.