Crime & Safety
Arrest Made of Union County Man In Connection With Auto-Theft Ring, Police Say
Authorities said an Elizabeth man was among three people charged in an alleged vehicle theft and trafficking operation.
ELIZABETH, NJ —A 33-year-old Elizabeth man has been charged in connection with what state authorities described as a vehicle theft trafficking ring involving stolen commercial and passenger vehicles across New Jersey.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Yosiel Ruiz-Linares of Elizabeth was arrested along with two other men following an investigation led by the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police.
Authorities allege Ruiz-Linares operated and directed an organized vehicle theft enterprise connected to the theft, storage, transportation and resale of stolen vehicles.
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He is charged with multiple offenses, including being a leader of an auto theft trafficking network, conspiracy, trafficking in stolen property, receiving stolen motor vehicles, VIN tampering and forgery-related offenses. The charges are accusations, and Ruiz-Linares is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Officials also charged Yadier Evora-Martinez, 31, of Orlando, Florida, and Angel M. Amendanosiguencia, 42, of Trenton in connection with the investigation.
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According to investigators, authorities executed a court-authorized search warrant May 8 at a Trenton property allegedly connected to Ruiz-Linares. State police said investigators recovered VIN programming equipment, fraudulent vehicle titles, master vehicle keys, blank credit cards and approximately $10,000 in suspected criminal proceeds.
Authorities said investigators also identified several stolen commercial vehicles allegedly tied to the operation, including a 2024 Freightliner, a 2025 International Wrecker, a 2025 International Box Truck and a 2025 Western Star Roll-Off truck.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said vehicle theft investigations remain a priority for state officials.
“Auto theft drives up prices for consumers, businesses, and insurance companies and disrupts the lives of ordinary New Jersey residents,” Davenport said in a statement.
The case is being prosecuted by the Division of Criminal Justice.
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