Five Men Indicted in Multi-County Auto Theft and Burglary Ring Targeting High-End Vehicles

More than $700,000 in luxury cars and valuables stolen during home invasions across Monmouth, Ocean, and Essex counties.

TRENTON, N.J. — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced that five men, including 19-year-old Samir White of Newark, have been indicted in connection with a multi-state auto theft and burglary ring that allegedly targeted high-end vehicles in New Jersey and New York over a five-month span. The indictment follows a detailed investigation led by the New Jersey State Police Motor Vehicle Crimes North Unit.

White and four co-defendants — Quamine McDonald, Samir Jordan, Tysir Philips, and Tauheed McLean — face charges outlined in the indictment, including conspiracy, auto theft, home invasion burglary, and various weapons offenses. The charges stem from a pattern of criminal activity that occurred between September 2024 and February 10, 2025.

“Breaking into homes, as is alleged in this indictment, adds a new level of danger to the crime of car theft,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The charges we are announcing today also include weapons offenses. Protecting the public is our highest priority, and cases like this one go a long way toward making our residents safer in their homes.”

According to prosecutors, the group used previously stolen vehicles to travel to homes in Monmouth, Ocean, and Essex counties, where they allegedly forced entry using a crowbar, stole valuable items including designer clothing, jewelry, key fobs, and then fled in high-value vehicles taken from the residences.

The total estimated value of stolen vehicles is approximately $700,000, including multiple Land Rovers, BMWs, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, a Porsche 911, and an Audi RSQ8. In some incidents, firearms and personal property were also stolen, and in one case, a vehicle was allegedly stolen while a parent was picking up a child at a school.

Key Incidents Alleged in the Indictment

• On September 24, 2024, a 2024 Land Rover was stolen from Wall Township, Monmouth County.

• On November 18, 2024, a 2023 BMW X7 was taken from Lakewood, Ocean County.

• On December 9, 2024, a 2024 BMW X3 was stolen from Sea Girt, Monmouth County.

• On December 11, 2024, White and others allegedly broke into a home on River Road in Wall Township, stealing $10,000 in jewelry, a loaded firearm (Sig Sauer P365XL), and a 2020 Porsche 911.

• On December 13, they allegedly used the stolen BMW X3 to travel to Bay Head, Ocean County, and steal a 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, later recovered in The Bronx, New York.

• On December 18, a 2024 BMW 769 was stolen from New York Boulevard in Sea Girt.

• On December 22, the crew entered homes on Crescent Parkway and Washington Boulevard, also in Sea Girt, stealing a 2025 Range Rover, a 2020 BMW X3, and designer clothing and sunglasses. The BMW X3 was then used that same day to reach East Orange, where they allegedly stole a 2024 Audi RSQ8.

• On January 8, 2025, a 2023 Range Rover was stolen in Holmdel, Monmouth County, from outside a school.

• On February 10, 2025, Samir Jordan and Quamine McDonald allegedly attempted a home invasion in North Caldwell, Essex County.

Samir White was identified as a key suspect through electronic and physical surveillance, as well as cellphone data and clothing recognition across multiple incidents. The vehicles and homes targeted were often in affluent neighborhoods, and the crimes were carried out during overnight hours or when residents were away.

“The indictment we are announcing today charges the defendants with auto theft as well as home invasion burglary,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton. “They also are alleged to have stolen weapons, jewelry, and other items. Shutting down criminal networks like this takes excellent work by everyone in law enforcement.”

“The indictment of these individuals sends a clear message: we will not tolerate those who threaten the safety of our communities through violence, theft, and the complete disregard for the law,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “Breaking into people’s homes to steal vehicles is not just a property crime—it’s a violation of the very sense of security every resident deserves. I commend our detectives and law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts in holding these offenders accountable and ensuring the safety of the people of New Jersey.”

The defendants face the following potential sentences if convicted:

• First-degree crimes: 10 to 20 years in prison and up to $200,000 in fines.

• Second-degree charges: 5 to 10 years and fines up to $150,000.

• Third-degree charges: 3 to 5 years and up to $15,000 in fines.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Jaclyn Dowd, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Matthew Bernal and Chief Cassandra Montalto of the DCJ. The investigation involved collaboration with multiple agencies, including the Monmouth and Essex County Prosecutors’ Offices, as well as the Wall Township, Sea Girt Borough, Bay Head Borough Police Departments, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

All charges contained in the indictment are accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.