Home » 11 Charged in Transnational Vehicle Theft Ring Operating in NJ, NY

11 Charged in Transnational Vehicle Theft Ring Operating in NJ, NY

Attorney General announces first-degree racketeering charges in theft ring.

by Sophia Bennett

POMPTON PLAINS, NJ — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, in conjunction with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ), has announced first-degree racketeering charges against eleven individuals accused of participating in a transnational vehicle theft and trafficking ring that spanned New Jersey and New York. The criminal operation, which focused on stealing luxury vehicles, primarily from homes in New Jersey, intended to export the stolen cars to West African countries.

The operation was uncovered through a collaborative investigation between law enforcement agencies in both states. The enterprise targeted high-end vehicles such as BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, Audis, and Land Rovers. These cars were stolen from residences in Morris, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, and Burlington counties, and then hidden in parking garages in the Bronx before being shipped to Ghana and other countries.

The investigation, which began in July 2024, revealed that 43 stolen vehicles valued at about $3.65 million were located in garages on Jennings Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx. Some of these vehicles were later recovered from shipping containers at ports in Elizabeth, NJ, and Staten Island, NY.

The theft ring operated with a hierarchical structure that included promoters, high- and mid-level fences, and theft crews. The operation was directed by individuals identified only by aliases “Big G” and “E,” who assigned theft crews specific vehicles to target. Among those charged:

Issa Yara, a high-level fence, is accused of coordinating directly with theft crews, negotiating prices, and facilitating the transfer of vehicle information via text.

Mamadou Camara, Moussa Doumbia, Arona Amadou, Mouslim Ouedraogo, and Moubarak Djibril served as mid-level fences, receiving and reselling the stolen vehicles. Camara was caught on surveillance operating stolen vehicles at a Bronx garage.

Jahquil Louis, Jomar Ocasio, Daniel Deleon, Quadir Williams, and an unnamed juvenile were members of the theft crew responsible for residential burglaries to obtain key fobs. Notable thefts included a BMW X5 from Pompton Plains, Morris County, and a BMW X7 and Audi SQ8 from East Windsor, Mercer County, in late 2024 and early 2025. The stolen vehicles were traced to Bronx garages or intercepted in transit.

Phone and surveillance data placed multiple defendants near burglary locations and vehicle storage facilities. Additionally, evidence revealed that payments to theft crews were made through wire transfers from West African nations, often in cash.

The total value of the stolen vehicles from the residential burglaries linked to this ring is estimated at $542,295.

Sentencing: Each of the eleven defendants faces first-degree racketeering charges, which carry a potential prison sentence of 10 to 20 years, as well as fines up to $500,000. Additional charges related to burglary, theft, and conspiracy could lead to sentences ranging from 3 to 20 years.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorneys General Jaclyn Dowd and Amie Hyde, under the supervision of Deputy Chiefs Joseph Giordano and Matthew Bernal and Bureau Chief Cassandra Montalto.

The investigation was a joint effort involving the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the New York Police Department, Bronx District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and various local law enforcement agencies. The FBI and National Insurance Crime Bureau also provided assistance.

Note: All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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