Car Theft Crime Spree In Somerset County: 5 Charged, 1 Still At Large

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Five people have been charged and one remains at large in connection with home and motor vehicle burglaries in Bernards Township, Bernardsville, and Green Brook, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

The charges stem from multiple incidents where the suspects reportedly broke into homes to steal cars as part of an auto theft trafficking network.

On Oct. 5, 2023, at around 4:37 a.m., suspects reportedly broke into to a home on Tuxford Terrace in Bernards Township through a rear sliding window.

A 2023 Mercedes Benz GLE AMG was stolen from the home. A 2020 Kia Sol, previously reported stolen out of Newark, was also left behind at the scene.

On Oct. 7, 2023, at around 4 a.m., suspects broke into a home on Old Fort Road in Bernardsville. Keys to two vehicles were reported stolen from the home as well as a 2021 BMW 340i and 2018 BMW 540i, said McDonald.

On Nov. 26, 2023, at around 3:55 a.m., suspects broke into a home on Blazure Road in Bernardsville and stole two key fobs. Two vehicles, a 2021 Dodge Charger and a 2024 BMW X6 were then stolen from the residence. The suspects left a 2021 Kia Sportage, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, behind at the scene, said McDonald.

On Dec. 1, 2023, at around 4:59 a.m., a home on Deer Path in Green Brook was burglarized. A handbag, wallet, cash, and keys were stolen from the home. Officers from Green Brook Township went to the home as the burglary was in progress. When the officers arrived, the suspects fled the area in a 2020 BMW X4 reported stolen out of Denville, eluding the police, said McDonald.

On Jan. 2, at around 2:48 a.m., a home on Johnson Circle in Bernards Township was burglarized and a 2023 Audi RSQ8, a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, and a 2022 BMW X5M were stolen from the residence. A Kia Sol, which had been reported stolen out of East Orange, was left behind at the scene by the suspects, said McDonald.

A joint investigation was conducted by detectives from the Bernards Township Police Department, Bernardsville Township Police Department, Green Brook Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit which led to the identification and arrests of five people for this crime spree.

On June 19, Rasudi Creighton, 19, of Newark, was charged with second-degree motor vehicle theft, third-degree burglary, third-degree burglary of a motor vehicle, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network. Creighton was served with his complaint-warrant while in custody at the Bergen County Jail on another agency’s charges.

On June 19, Furquan Ahmad, 20, of Newark, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network. Ahmad was served with his complaint-warrant at the Monmouth County Jail while in custody on another agency’s charges.

On June 27, Jashamir Hardiman, 25, of Newark, was arrested and charged with two counts of third-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network and fourth-degree joyriding. Hardiman was served with his complaint-warrant while in custody in the Bergen County Jail on another agency’s charges.

On June 27, Nasir Davis, 20, of Newark, was arrested and charged with third-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle and third-degree participant in an auto vehicle theft trafficking network. Davis was served with his complaint-warrant at the Monmouth County Jail while in custody for another agency’s charges.

On July 11, a juvenile male, age 15 was sent a juvenile delinquency complaint for charges of third-degree burglary of a motor vehicle, third-degree theft of a motor vehicle, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network and will be provided with a future court date in this matter.

Damien Coleman, 22, of Newark, has also been charged with third-degree receiving stolen property, and third-degree participant in an auto theft trafficking network as part of this investigation.

Coleman remains at large. Authorities ask anyone with any information leading to the whereabouts of Coleman to contact the Bernardsville Police Department or the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

McDonald commended the joint investigation and arrests of these defendants by the Bernards Township Police Department, Bernardsville Police Department, Green Brook Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation Unit. He also thanked detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department and investigators from the New Jersey State Police Regional Operations Intelligence Center for their contribution to this investigation.

"This is an excellent example of collaboration, coordination, and persistence shown by multiple agencies working together to protect the citizens of Somerset County," said McDonald.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County
Prosecutors Office at 908-231-7100, the Bernards Township Police Department at 908-766-1122, The Bernardsville Borough Police Department at 908-766-0037 or the Green Brook Police Department at 732-968-1188 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to
provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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