Theft Ring Steals More Than 180 Luxury Cars In Monmouth County, New Jersey

“What’s linking all of this together is pure and unadulterated negligence by the owners of these cars,” says Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni.

The motive is to grab luxury vehicles from upper-class neighborhoods in towns such as Deal, Rumson, Holmdel, Wall and Ocean townships, and take them back north to Essex County, chop them up for parts, or sell them on the foreign black market.

“Most recently we had several pursuits in the last week or so, one of which culminated in an apprehension early Sunday morning, Oct. 18,” says Chief Crag Weber, of the Middletown Police Department.

According to police, gang ringleaders are sending juveniles to the shore area and their mission is to bring four vehicles back to the ringleaders. “Literally, it’s like shopping,” says Monmouth County Chief of Detectives John McCabe.

“They drive down the street. Some of these cars, the mirrors are left open, is an indication the vehicle is open, the bad guys go up to the vehicle, open the door, push the button and if the car starts, the fob is in the vehicle, and they drive away with the vehicle.”