Three named as leaders
of alleged auto-theft ring
SAYREVILLE — Three borough residents were among those arrested in connection with an alleged multistate auto theft ring.
According to information released by the New Jersey State Police on Friday, 17 individuals from New York and New Jersey have been arrested and charged with operating a multistate auto-theft, replating and document-fraud ring.
The operation, according to police, was allegedly run out of an auto dealership located in Newark. That dealership, Europa Motors, is said to be owned by Jose Costa, a resident of Kupsch Street.
Costa has been charged as the alleged leader of the auto-theft trafficking network, according to police.
Also, police have also charged Costa with fencing, receiving stolen property, forgery, tampering with public records, altering vehicle identification numbers and conspiracy.
In all, police said 32 stolen and replated vehicles valued at more than $600,000 have been recovered so far in this ongoing investigation.
Police say they began the investigation in November 1999 after a New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) internal audit team uncovered discrepancies in a Virginia motor vehicle title that was presented at a New Jersey DMV.
After further investigation, it was discovered that 600 more titles from Virginia had been stolen from the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles.
During the investigation Costa’s business was found to be a front for the operation, police said.
According to police, the car titles were believed to be used in an effort to obtain valid state registrations and insurance.
Also, many of the stolen vehicles are said to have been illegally replated with counterfeit titles from Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, police said.
Also among the arrested were borough residents James Kousakis and Gildete Oliveria.
Kousakis is a resident of Woods Edge Court. He has been charged as an alleged leader of the auto-theft trafficking network as well.
Police have also charged him with fencing, receiving stolen property, forgery, tampering with public records, altering vehicle identification numbers, operating a facility to engage in auto theft and conspiracy.
Oliveria, also a resident of Woods Edge Court, has been charged with alleged fencing, receiving stolen property, forgery, tampering with public records, altering vehicle identification numbers, operating a facility to engage in auto theft, and conspiracy.