Nine city men were formally charged in a 131-count indictment for allegedly committing a series of burglaries and car thefts in Passaic, Morris, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties, authorities said on Thursday afternoon.
Tahaad Caster, 20; Demetrius Balmer, 20; Raequann Reid, 22; Jorge Lopez, 20; Jahon Lloyd, 20; Donte Gaskin, 23; Jahad Toney, 22; Shamell Sparks, 23; Malik Patterson, 20, were charged with various burglary and auto theft charges.
Caster is the alleged leader of the auto theft trafficking network, authorities said. He was arrested in Passaic County on October 7, 2017 and has been held in jail. His group allegedly conducted 10 burglaries at B&M Auto Mall in Clifton (burglarized twice), Otocity in Totowa, Lakeview Auto in Clifton, Action Auto Sales in Old Bridge, Michael’s Motorcars in Neptune City, Deals on Wheels in East Brunswick, NJ Auto Sales in Sayreville, Europlus Motorsports in South Brunswick, and East Coast Motors in Jefferson Township.
The group used juveniles to steal cars, authorities alleged.
Caster is charged with burglary offenses, attempted theft, criminal mischief, use of juvenile in theft of automobile, eluding, receiving stolen property, and resisting arrest.
Balmer is charged with burglary offenses, theft, attempted theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, and resisting arrest.
Reid is charged with burglary offenses, theft, and criminal mischief. Lopez is charged with burglary offenses, theft, and criminal mischief.
Lloyd is charged with burglary offenses, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and using juvenile in theft of cars. Gaskin is charged with eluding, receiving stolen property, and resisting arrest, authorities said.
Toney is charged with burglary offenses, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, use of juvenile in car theft. Sparks and Patterson are charged with burglary offenses, theft, criminal mischief, and using juvenile in car theft.
Authorities said Caster and Lloyd are being detained while others have been released.
The men could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted on the charges.