NYC Car Theft Ring Busted: 5 Face 15 Years

NEW YORK – A sophisticated car theft ring peddling stolen vehicles across New York City and New Jersey has been dismantled, Attorney General Letitia James and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced today. The year-long investigation, a joint effort between the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the NYPD’s Bronx Auto Crime Unit, has recovered over 40 stolen cars valued at more than $1 million, and resulted in the charging of five individuals with a staggering 92 crimes.

The operation, exposed after investigators identified Jonathan Mercedes Silvestre as a key broker for stolen vehicles in February 2025, revealed a network stretching across multiple counties in both states. Surveillance, wiretaps, and electronic evidence analysis painted a clear picture of a well-organized criminal enterprise. Raulin Rodriguez and Jender Santos-Ulloa were identified as Silvestre’s primary sources for the stolen cars, while Josue Dejesus Gonzalez and Juan Tavarez Cabrera allegedly handled the logistics of locating, acquiring, and transporting the vehicles to a network of buyers.

The stolen vehicles weren’t limited to a single make or model, indicating a broad targeting strategy. Recovered vehicles included 19 Honda CRVs, six Lexus IS 350s, five Toyota Highlanders, four Honda Accords, three Acura TLXs, two Lexus IS 500s, and one Honda Civic. Cars were snatched from Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey, and New York’s Kings, Bronx, Queens, and Westchester Counties, demonstrating the ring’s wide reach and brazenness.

“A stolen car can completely upend a family’s life, making it harder to get to school, work, and do essential errands,” Attorney General James stated bluntly. “This investigation stopped a far-reaching criminal operation that sold dozens of stolen cars across New York and New Jersey.” NYPD Commissioner Tisch echoed this sentiment, delivering a stark message: “To criminals who traffic in stolen vehicles, our message is clear: the NYPD will find you and hold you accountable.”

All five defendants – Raulin Rodriguez, Jender Santos-Ulloa, Josue Dejesus Gonzalez, Juan Tavarez Cabrera, and Jonathan Mercedes Silvestre – are facing charges including Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Second Degree, among other theft-related offenses. Each defendant could face a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars if convicted. The indictment emphasizes that these are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This bust is the latest in Attorney General James’ ongoing crackdown on motor vehicle theft. Just last December, her office secured $9 million from Hyundai and Kia related to security vulnerabilities in their vehicles. While this case focuses on the thieves themselves, the AG’s office continues to address the vulnerabilities that allow these crimes to occur. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility of additional arrests as they continue to unravel the full scope of the operation.