MORRISTOWN, NJ — Five individuals have been charged in connection with a sophisticated burglary and auto theft ring operating across Morris, Union, and Essex counties from September to December 2024. Authorities say the group targeted luxury vehicles during home invasions and used stolen police database access to identify potential victims.
Leaders Tyshawn Z. Hoover, 24, and Samad A. Foster, 29, both from Newark, face multiple charges, including conspiracy, motor vehicle theft, fencing stolen vehicles, computer crimes, and running an auto theft trafficking network. Hoover is also accused of recruiting a juvenile for vehicle thefts.
Investigators tied Hoover, Foster, and Deeend T. Coleman-McRae, 25, of Hillside, to a September 20, 2024, burglary in Florham Park, where suspects stole a key fob and drove away in a 2023 Land Rover. Hoover allegedly fenced the stolen vehicle. On November 20, the group attempted another Florham Park burglary but fled after interruption. That same day, a Mercedes-Benz GLE was stolen in West Orange, with attempts to sell it revealed by recovered messages.
Zayannah T. Overby, 22, a Newark Police Department civilian employee, is charged with misusing police database access to obtain addresses linked to luxury vehicles, including those targeted in the attempted burglaries.
On December 5, Hoover and a juvenile are linked to the theft of a running BMW M5 in Denville.
During a search in Hillside, Coleman-McRae and Jameer D. Smith, 25, of Newark, were found with narcotics, illegal firearms, and over $7,000 in suspected drug money. Both face charges related to drug distribution and firearm possession.
Hoover faces the most extensive charges, including conspiracy, multiple auto theft counts, juvenile involvement, and leadership of the trafficking network. Foster faces similar charges except those involving the juvenile. Coleman-McRae and Smith face drug and firearm charges, while Overby is charged with conspiracy, computer crimes, and trafficking participation.
Hoover and Foster are detained in Essex County Jail, Smith in Union County Jail, Coleman-McRae in Morris County Jail, and Overby is released under pretrial monitoring.
The investigation involved multiple agencies, including Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Florham Park Police, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and Denville Police.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll highlighted the interagency effort, emphasizing the importance of protecting residents’ safety and deterring juvenile recruitment into crime. Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando praised Detective Thomas Belli for his exhaustive investigation.
Authorities remind the public that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
