6 Indicted In NJ Family-Run Crime Ring: Prosecutor

FRANKLIN, NJ — Six people were indicted in a family-run crime theft ring following a seven-month investigation that targeted a brother and sister who were buying stolen merchandise from shoplifters and then reselling it, according to prosecutors.

The investigation revealed the six people were buying stolen merchandise from shoplifters who targeted stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Wawa, Stop & Shop and Walmart.

All of the family members were indicted on charges connected with the theft ring along with store employees Andre Watts, 30, of North Brunswick; and Dunia Patricia Hernandez, 32, of Somerset.

Those indicted included David Rubin, 61, and Sheryllee Rubin, 58, both siblings from Somerset and the owners of Everything Wireless at 665 Hamilton St. in Franklin Township. That's where the crime ring was based, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson said.

David was also married to Lisa Rubin 54, of Somerset and Betsheva Rubin-Rivera, 24, of New Brunswick is David Rubin’s daughter, Robertson said. They, too, were indicted along with store employees Andre Watts, 30, of Wilson Street, North Brunswick and Dunia Patricia Hernandez, 32, of Luis Street, Somerset.

In 2018, a seven month investigation found that all six people bought stolen merchandise from shoplifters and targeted the chain stores, Robertson said.

The shoplifters would exchange the stolen merchandise for cash at Everything Wireless where the stolen merchandise was resold to the public at the store or over the Internet, Robertson said.

On June 4, 2018, a police search at Everything Wireless and the store owner David Rubin's home found numerous items of suspected stolen retail merchandise, valued for more than $14,000, Robertson said.

Loss prevention investigators employed by Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target Stores also searched the store and home and found numerous items of stolen merchandise, records documenting illicit purchases of gift cards, kosher meat, and the Tramadol, Robertson said.

All six were indicted by a grand jury with second-degree operating an organized retail theft enterprise, second-degree receiving stolen property, and second-degree fencing by dealing in stolen property,

David and Lisa Rubin also were jointly charged with fourth-degree attempted unauthorized use of ATP cards or Food Stamp Program coupons intended exclusively for citizens in need of assistance.

David Rubin also was charged solely with third-degree receiving stolen property and third-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance, known as Tramadol, which had been prescribed to a Cliffside Park woman who is now dead, Robertson said.

All six are currently free on bail and an arraignment on the indictment will likely occur in late-January 2020.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100, 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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