The thefts occurred in Morris, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex and Burlington counties, with the cars taken from residences, Platkin said. Stolen cars were later recovered from shipping containers at ports in Elizabeth and Staten Island, Platkin said, destined for West Africa.
Issa Yaram a high-level fence, was in contact with the motor theft crews, exchanging text messages identifying large vehicles and the prices for them, like Cadillacs and BMWs, Platkin said. Investigators were able to obtain texts between the fences and crews where they discussed what time they would bring the vehicles to the garage in the Bronx, Platkin said.
Vehicles stolen include a 2024 BMW X5, valued at $89,000 taken from a home in Pompton Plains on Sunday, Jan. 5 after the homeowner noticed his back window broken and his key fob and vehicle missing, Platkin said…