Thieves allegedly test drove high end cars and switched key fobs with sales people, then returned over night to steal cars.
From left, Haquil Green, Ibn Holman, both of Newark and Salik Stephens, of East Orange, are charged with the theft of a dozen luxury cars over four months. (Union County Prosecutor's Office) ELIZABETH -- Three Essex County men face a 25-count indictment accusing them of stealing 12 luxury cars from dealerships in four counties.
Haquil Green, 25, and Salik Stephens, 34, both of Newark, and Ibn Holman, 35, of East Orange, are accused of stealing Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and other luxury vehicles, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace Park said Friday in a statement issued jointly with Linden Police Chief Jonathan Parham.
The thefts occurred from June through September, and in each case the suspects went to a dealership to test drive car and got fobs for the vehicles from dealership representatives, said Union County Assistant Prosecutor Jeremiah Lenihan, who is prosecuting the case.
He said the suspects then surreptitiously switched the fobs and left the dealership, but returned overnight and use the real key fobs to steal the vehicles.
Most of the cars have been recovered, Lenihan said.
The cars were taken from dealerships in Belleville, Bloomfield, Elizabeth, Hillside, Linden, Lodi, Rahway, South Hackensack, Springfield, and Wayne.
The total worth of the cars stolen was about $400,000, authorities said.
The Special Prosecutions Unit in the prosecutor's office and the Linden police, led by Linden police Detective Matthew Damatta, investigated the thefts, and were assisted by Union County Sheriff's Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the police in each municipality where the thefts occurred, Lenihan said.
On Sept. 20, officers arrested Stephens in East Orange on a charge of eluding police, and officers found seven key fobs in his possession, authorities said.
They said Green was apprehended approximately one week later, and both he and Stephens are being in jail on $50,000 bail each. Holman is still being sought, authorities said.
All three face charges of second-degree conspiracy to commit theft and multiple counts of third-degree theft and third-degree burglary.
Green and Stephens also are charged with multiple counts of third-degree receiving stolen property.
Second-degree crimes carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
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