EAST ORANGE, NJ — An East Orange man, Jovon Smith, 36, was arrested along with 32-year-old Christopher Ellen of Passaic for their roles in a large-scale organized retail theft operation across New Jersey.
Smith faces charges including second-degree Leader of Organized Retail Theft Enterprise, second-degree Fencing Stolen Property, second-degree Theft by Deception, and 38 counts of third-degree Theft by Deception. Ellen faces similar charges, including 26 counts of third-degree Theft by Deception.
According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the two men ran a scheme that stole over $200,000 in construction equipment from home improvement retailers throughout the state. They used multiple identities to rent high-value equipment and then failed to return it. The stolen items were then fenced and sold on online marketplaces.
Investigators documented 38 separate thefts spanning 28 municipalities across 12 counties, including Union and Linden in Union County. Smith and Ellen are currently being held at the Essex County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Union County Prosecutor William Daniel stated, “This was a highly organized and sophisticated scheme that exploited rental services, causing substantial financial loss across New Jersey. The diligent work of our detectives, along with inter-agency cooperation, was key to dismantling this operation and bringing the suspects to justice.”
These charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
