Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice announced indictments this week against five individuals allegedly involved in a high-end car theft and home burglary ring that operated across multiple counties—including at least one incident in Lakewood.
Among the defendants is Samir White, 19, of Newark, who faces numerous charges including conspiracy, auto theft, burglary, and weapons offenses. His co-defendants — Quamine McDonald, Samir Jordan, Tysir Philips, and Tauheed McLean — are also charged for their alleged roles in the coordinated criminal operation.
The group is accused of stealing vehicles valued at approximately $700,000 between September 2024 and February 2025, often breaking into private residences to obtain car keys and other valuables. Authorities say they used previously stolen vehicles to carry out additional crimes across Monmouth, Ocean, and Essex Counties, as well as in parts of New York.
One of the confirmed thefts occurred in Lakewood on November 18, 2024, when the suspects allegedly stole a 2023 BMW X7 from a local residence. This was part of a broader pattern in which the suspects reportedly forced entry into homes using tools such as crowbars and targeted items such as jewelry, designer clothing, firearms, and vehicle key fobs.
According to the indictment, the crew allegedly:
- Broke into homes in Wall Township, Sea Girt, Bay Head, East Orange, and North Caldwell, among others.
- Used stolen vehicles to commit additional crimes, including a loaded firearm theft, luxury car thefts including Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, Porsche 911, and an Audi RSQ8.
- Targeted homes while residents were away, and in one case, stole a vehicle from in front of a school in Holmdel as a parent went inside to pick up a child.
Law enforcement agencies tracked the suspects through electronic surveillance, cell phone data, and video evidence that linked individuals to multiple crime scenes via common clothing and physical evidence.