Three Sentenced in Luxury Car Theft Rings

Woodbridge, NJ - They stole cars from throughout New Jersey, but particularly operated in Middlesex, Monmouth, Essex and Union counties. And they targeted high-end vehicles, like luxury SUVs made by Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Honda, Porsche, Jaguar and Aston Martin.

On Friday, three men were sentenced for their role in a major international carjacking ring, where high-end cars would be stolen in New Jersey and New York and then shipped to West Africa.

Of the roughly 160 vehicles recovered, 140 were recovered at ports, including Port Newark, Port Elizabeth and Howland Hook Seaport in Staten Island. They would load the cars into shipping containers, which were taken to ports for transport by ship to West Africa. In West Africa, luxury vehicles command prices higher than the new market value in the U.S.

How they stole the cars

The gang of car thieves had many methods of stealing the vehicle, prosecutors say: They would often target victims by bumping their vehicles from behind on the highway. When victims stopped to address the situation, the carjackers would take their key by force or threat, or simply jump into the vehicle and drive off if the key was left inside.

Other times, guns or weapons were used.

Thefts also occurred at carwashes and at airports, where drivers would leave cars running at terminals to unload luggage. In other cases, members of the ring would obtain cars through fraud, using bad checks to buy cars from new and used car dealerships.

But they always made sure of one thing: To get the electronic keys or key fobs, which are critical to the resale value of the cars.

Sentenced Friday:

• Kurtis Bossie, 24, of Newark, was sentenced to 18 years in state prison. He pleaded guilty on Feb. 26 to first-degree charges of conspiracy and carjacking.
• Jim J. Bryant Jr., 24, of Newark, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison. He also pleaded guilty on Feb. 26 to first-degree charges of conspiracy and carjacking.
• Daniel I. Hunt, 38, of East Orange, was sentenced to five years in prison. He pleaded guilty on Dec. 23 to second-degree conspiracy to commit fencing.