By: Yuritza Arroyo
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced charges against 14 individuals in the takedown of alleged chop shop operations linked to the theft of more than 35 vehicles throughout the state.
According to officials, the charges are the result of a five-month investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP), with assistance from the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), Passaic County Sheriff’s Office, the Paterson Police Department, and other federal, county, and local law enforcement agencies.
Officials say the defendants were charged in connection with four chop shops that allegedly functioned as towing and mechanic businesses by day, but, during off hours, were used to alter and/or disassemble stolen vehicles for resale or to be sold as parts.
The defendants were arrested last week following the coordinated execution of search warrants at multiple locations in Paterson, and one location each in Elmwood Park, and Passaic.
Recovered in the searches were six stolen motor vehicles, numerous components from stolen vehicles, key fobs, stolen license plates, and electronic devices linked to the alleged chop shop operations.
According to authorities, also recovered in the searches were an assault rifle, heroin, marijuana, a kilo press, which is commonly used to process controlled dangerous substances (CDS), and US currency believed to be proceeds from criminal activity.
The alleged orchestrator of the chop shop operations, Carlos Torres, 41, of Paterson, was charged with conspiracy to operate chop shops, conspiracy to receive stolen property, receiving stolen property, and possessing a vehicle with an altered vehicle identification number (VIN).
Authorities say thirteen others were charged with receiving stolen property and various other offenses related to the alleged vehicle theft operation.
Some defendants were also charged in connection with other alleged criminal activities, including the distribution of CDS.
“Auto theft is known to go hand-in-hand with other more serious crimes, which is why dismantling these criminal networks and prosecuting participants is essential to our goal of reducing theft and violent crime in New Jersey,” said Attorney General Platkin.
“By taking down chop shops that facilitate the sale of stolen vehicles, we’re interrupting the larger auto theft network and making our communities safer.”
“The dismantling of this auto theft ring and the identification of its chop shops is just a small step in our unrelenting mission to apprehend and hold accountable those who choose to steal motor vehicles and those who participate in the criminal process after a vehicle is stolen,” said Colonel Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
“This 5-month-long investigation culminated with the removal of an assault weapon, drugs, and violent criminals from our neighborhoods. Motor Vehicle Crimes Units and their partners are using the finest investigative strategies to target additional theft rings, and I applaud their continued efforts.”
“The Division of Criminal Justice will continue to hold accountable individuals who serve as integral participants in auto theft networks by providing a means for stolen vehicles to be disguised for resale or disassembled for sale as parts,” said Interim Director Derek Nececkas of the Division of Criminal Justice.
“Our message is clear if you are caught participating in crimes related to auto theft, you will face serious consequences.”
“After countless hours of hard work, this investigation concluded with several high-impact arrests and the confiscation of an assault rifle,” said Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
“I want to commend the NJSP for not only the formation of the task force but its effectiveness. The Sheriff’s Office looks forward to continuing this special partnership with the New Jersey State Police and many more arrests.”
“Achieving our public safety goals requires partnership and collaboration. I want to recognize and thank our colleagues at the New Jersey State Police, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts in helping the Paterson Police Department keep Paterson safe,” said Isa Abbassi, Officer in Charge of the Paterson Police Department.
The investigation began in January, when detectives with the NJSP Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit, as part of the NJSP Auto Theft Task Force, began looking into statewide thefts of Hondas believed to be destined for chop shops in Paterson.
Through various investigative means, detectives identified Carlos Torres as a suspect in the theft of more than a dozen vehicles.
As the investigation continued, numerous other suspects were identified.
Through various investigative means, detectives determined that vehicles stolen from counties throughout New Jersey were being transported to facilities in Paterson and nearby municipalities, where they were given fraudulent VINs to be re-titled and later sold or disassembled for sale as parts.
The suspects were transported to the NJSP Auto Theft Task Force’s Newark Field Office for processing and released. They are charged as follows:
Carlos Torres, 41, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree (two counts)
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Juan Torres, 20, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Uttering of False Government Documents - 3rd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Ranlley Tejada-Pena, 35, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree
Uttering False Government Documents - 3rd Degree
Junior Lopez, 22, of Paterson, NJ
Possession of CDS (Heroin) - 3rd Degree
Distribution of CDS (Heroin) - 2nd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine - 4th Degree
Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm - 2nd Degree
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Used for CDS Packaging - 4th Degree
Adonis DeJesus Ventura Liranzo, 25, of Paterson, NJ
Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance - Heroin - 3rd Degree
Distribution of CDS (Heroin) - 2nd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine - 4th Degree
Unlawful Possession of an Assault Firearm - 2nd Degree
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia Used for CDS Packaging - 4th Degree
Heriberto A. Rojas-Acquino, 25, of Elmwood Park, NJ
Operation of a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Juan M. Jimenez-Gutierrez, 48, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 2nd Degree
Operation of a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Edward M. Valdez-Nunez, 42, of Elmwood Park, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree
Yoelbi Velez, 34, of Passaic, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree
Possession of Burglar's Tools - Disorderly Persons Offense
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Uttering of False Government Documents - 3rd Degree
Wilson Castro, 46, of Paterson, NJ
Operation of a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Danilo A. Camilo, 26, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Operation a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Freddy Tavare, 43, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Operation a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Edward Fernandez, 55, of Paterson, NJ
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Conspiracy to Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Operation a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Conspiracy to Operate a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Juan Sterling Jimenez Gutierrez, 44, of Paterson, NJ
Operation of a Chop Shop - 2nd Degree
Receiving Stolen Property - 3rd Degree
Possession of an Altered VIN Vehicle - 3rd Degree
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000; third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000; and fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.