13 charged in multi-state auto theft ring connected to murder of Philadelphia Police Sergeant Richard Mendez
New Jersey's attorney general announced charges against 13 people in a multi-state auto theft ring that is connected to the murder of a Philadelphia police officer.
Attorney General Matthew Platkin said the charges are for racketeering, burglary, assault and other crimes.
Two brothers, Alex (27) and Alexi (24) Vargas are being pinned as the ring leaders of this operation, with the others acting as theft crews.
The other suspects have been identified as Albert Santana-Fernandez, Franklyn Rodriguez-Santana, Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, Randy Garcia-Liriano, Alexander Batista-Polanco, Jeitoni Suarez-Cuevas, Lewys Santana-Pichardo, Nelfi Fortuna-Fernandez, Steve Fernandez Ulloa, Hendrick Pena-Fernande and Jimmy Marte-Toledo.
They allegedly stole cars in Camden, Mercer and Burlington counties in New Jersey. They are also connected to thefts in Philadelphia and Scranton, Pennsylvania, as well as in Delaware and New York.
The theft ring operated for nearly three years, according to authorities, stealing 41 vehicles in several states and bringing them back to Camden to resell them.
Over 20 of the vehicles were stolen in Pennsylvania, according to officials.
Officials said they most often targeted vehicles at car dealerships and airport parking lots, specifically going after vehicles such as Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Chargers and Durangos and Ram Trucks.
The vehicles were all stolen in the same manner, with the thieves breaking the back window with screwdrivers, wrenches or bolt cutters, and using a key re-programmer to drive the vehicle back to Camden County, where it was later advertised for sale via social media and text messaging, officials said.
The AG said three of the defendants charged as part of this ring are already facing murder charges, after being accused of killing 50-year-old Philadelphia Police Sergeant Richard Mendez in 2023.
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Those three suspects have been identified as Batista-Polanco, Martinez-Fernandez and Pena-Fernandez.
Officer Mendez died in the line of duty when he and his partner were ambushed at Philadelphia International Airport in October 2023.
Mendez served with the Philadelphia Police Department for 23 years.
All 13 suspects are in custody. If convicted of first-degree charges, the defendants face 10 to 20 years in state prison, as well as a $200,000 fine.
