SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — 13 people involved with a car theft ring, including vehicles stolen from Scranton, have been indicted and linked to the homicide of a Philadelphia officer, according to the New Jersey Attorney General.
Officials say the theft ring covered multiple states, targeting luxury vehicles and trafficking them to New Jersey to be sold from 2021 to 2024.
Alex Vargas, 27, and Alexi Vargas, 24, of New Jersey, are accused of being the leaders of the operation.
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Investigators say other suspects of the theft ring included:
Albert Santana-Fernandez
Franklyn Rodriguez-Santana
Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez
Randy Garcia-Liriano
Alexander Batista-Polanco
Jeitoni Suarez-Cuevas
Lewys Santana-Pichardo
Nelfi Fortuna-Fernandez
Steven Fernandez-Ulloa
Hendrick Pena-Fernandez
Jimmy Marte-Toledo
Scranton Police Department
The investigation revealed that the ring was linked to the thefts of 41 stolen vehicles, with over 20 being stolen from Pennsylvania, according to the press release. Vehicles were stolen from Scranton between 2023 and 2024.
Officials say members used violent means against those who tried to interfere with the operation. Three members of the ring, Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, Alexander Batista-Polanco, and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez, already face charges for the 2023 homicide of Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez, as well as the assault of Officer Raul Ortiz.
According to the Scranton Police Department, the Scranton Police Auto-Theft Task Force assisted in the investigation, identifying suspects and aiding in the arrest of one of the individuals involved in the homicide.
A multi-state car theft ring investigation with ties to Lackawanna County has new developments.
28/22 News Reporter Connor Coar has the latest to explain on this complex case.
An investigation that took place over three years connects what is being called 'a violent car theft ring' to the electric city.
The arrest of 13 people, charged with first-degree racketeering in a violent, multi-state car theft ring, was announced by the New Jersey attorney general this month.
According to the New Jersey Director of Criminal Justice, the theft ring has been linked to 41 stolen vehicles so far.
Those stolen vehicles have been linked to thefts in New York, Delaware, seven counties in New Jersey, multiple airports and car dealerships in the Philadelphia area, as well as in Scranton.
Many officials praised the hard work of law enforcement during this complex case at a press conference in Camden, New Jersey, where investigators say the ring is operating out of.
"You don't get to first-degree racketeering charges without that type of information sharing and collaboration. So, I know sometimes it can get lost in the details when you start talking about task forces and alphabet soup and everything. This is why we do it," explained Matthew Platkin, New Jersey Attorney General.
In 2023, former officer Richard Mendez was shot and killed when he and his fellow officer heard breaking glass and several people breaking into a car in a parking lot at the Philadelphia International Airport.
Investigators say the men involved in the incident were also a part of this car theft ring.
"We also make it clear that this work matters. When you see these connections, I think the ag talked about these connections. What started off as one thing and how it ultimately leads to another. Would I like this group to be taken down before we lost our officer, yeah," stated Kevin Bethel, Philadelphia Police Commissioner.
According to New Jersey's Attorney General, the value of the stolen cars exceeds one million dollars.
Two brothers, who investigators say are the ring leaders, according to the New Jersey Director of Criminal Justice.
The city of Scranton is linked to this ring through incidents that have occurred over the past two years. The police department is stating that "Higher-end" luxury vehicles were stolen from Scranton and driven to New Jersey.
If convicted, the 13 men charged with first-degree racketeering could serve 10-20 years in prison and are subject to no early release.
