State police charge six people in seven-month car theft investigation

State police charge six people in seven-month car theft investigation

New Jersey State Police have charged six suspects and busted a car theft ring in New Jersey and New York linked to the theft of more than 30 high-end vehicles worth more than $3 million. dollars during a seven-month investigation.

In May, detectives from the "C" Troop Criminal Investigation Bureau began investigating several thefts of high-end motor vehicles in Millstone and Upper Freehold townships. As a result, detectives have identified 24-year-old Geovanni Hernandez of Newark, NJ as a suspect and linked him to the theft of a BMW M8 and three Land Rover Range Rovers in Upper Freehold and Millstone Townships. On July 22, detectives located Hernandez and arrested him.

As a result of the ongoing investigation, detectives have identified Carlos Sanchez, 23, of Newark, NJ as the leader of a car theft ring targeting high-end vehicles in Monmouth County, County of Mercer, Ocean County, Union County, Essex County. , Somerset County, Hunterdon County, Burlington County, Bergen County, Middlesex County and New York State. Detectives have also identified James Lanier, 24, Solomon Mickens, 23, and Sadiq Griggs, 23, all of Newark, NJ as associates.

Through various investigative means, detectives determined that the suspects also targeted residences while the victims were in their homes and committed burglaries with the intent of stealing the vehicles. After stealing the vehicles, the suspects transported them to other locations where they received fraudulent vehicle identification numbers to rename and sell them on an online marketplace.

On November 17, members of "C" Troop's Criminal Investigation Bureau, State Police Auto Theft Task Force, TEAMS Unit, K-9 Unit and of the Central Strategic Investigations Unit with the assistance of members of the United States Marshals NY/NJ Fugitive Task Force and the Monmouth County District Attorney's Office executed search warrants at the residences of Mickens and Sanchez, and in a motel in Avenel, NJ, where Sanchez was staying. Following the searches, detectives arrested Sanchez and Mickens and seized a 9mm handgun, high capacity magazine, key fobs and electronics related to the operation. Detectives then arrested Griggs at a residence in Newark and Lanier in a vehicle in Newark. Destiny Montalvo, 21, of Newark, NJ, was located at her residence and arrested for conspiring to dispose of evidence.

The suspects were charged with the following:

Carlos Sanchez

• Leader of a car theft trafficking ring
• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking

James Lanier

• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking
• Heist

Geovanni Hernandez

• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Heist
• Flight
• Receive stolen goods

Solomon Mickens

• Conspiracy to commit theft
• Theft by unlawful taking

Sadiq Griggs

Conspiracy to commit theft

Destiny Montalvo

Tampering with physical evidence

All suspects have been housed at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility pending a bail hearing. This case is being prosecuted by the Monmouth County Attorney's Office.

The charges are mere accusations and the accused is considered innocent until proven guilty.