Four Men Indicted in 61-Count Case Tied to Auto Theft and Home Invasion Ring

Alleged multi-county operation targeted high-end vehicles and homes between March and May 2025, with charges including burglary, theft, and credit card fraud.

NEW JERSEY — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) announced that four individuals have been indicted in connection with a string of auto thefts, home invasions, and related crimes spanning multiple South Jersey communities. The charges stem from a 61-count indictment returned by a state grand jury on October 22, 2025, following a multi-agency criminal investigation.

The defendants are identified as:

Tyree Payton, 25, of Clementon, NJ
Israel Ortiz, 23, of Sewell, NJ
Sakie Smith, 30, of Philadelphia, PA
Jeremiah Lugo, 19, of Clementon, NJ

The charges include home invasion burglary, conspiracy, auto theft, receiving stolen motor vehicles, credit card theft, and related offenses, and cover a pattern of criminal activity from March 15 to May 23, 2025.

“These defendants are charged with embarking on a brazen spree of car thefts, burglaries, and other crimes,” said Attorney General Platkin. “But this case is about more than car thefts – it is about robbing people of their sense of security and safety. We are using recently enacted laws to charge criminals who invade homes to steal key fobs so that they can steal cars. Breaking into people’s homes to steal vehicles is not just a property crime. It’s a dangerous escalation and a violation of the security every resident deserves.”

Details of Alleged Criminal Conduct

According to the indictment, the defendants are responsible for a series of vehicle thefts and attempted thefts in Burlington County and surrounding areas, many involving unlocked high-end vehicles parked in residential driveways—often with the keys left inside.

“In addition to stealing high-end luxury vehicles, these defendants are charged with stealing credit cards, motorcycles, a scooter, a trailer – literally anything they could get their hands on,” said DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton.

Investigators have linked the group to the theft of 11 vehicles and attempted thefts of four others. Among the documented cases are the following:

Moorestown – April 27, 2025

A 2024 BMW X4 was stolen from a residential driveway. When the homeowner confronted the suspects, they initially fled but allegedly returned and stole the vehicle from the garage. One assailant, believed to be Tyree Payton, was reportedly armed with what appeared to be a firearm during the second entry.

Charges: Payton, Ortiz, and Smith face charges of home invasion, burglary, and motor vehicle theft for this incident.

Medford – April 23, 2025

A 2019 white Alfa Romeo was stolen from a private residence. Credit cards left inside the vehicle were allegedly used within hours in Cherry Hill for unauthorized purchases.

Charges: Payton and Ortiz are charged with theft of the vehicle, while Payton, Ortiz, and Smith are also charged with fraudulent use of credit cards.

Ventnor City – April 20, 2025

A 2019 Mercedes-Benz S63 was stolen after being left unlocked with the keys inside. The vehicle disappeared sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. It was later recovered near Philadelphia International Airport by local police. Credit cards found inside the vehicle were allegedly used for fraudulent transactions.

Charges: Ortiz, Payton, and Lugo face counts of theft, burglary, credit card theft, and fraudulent use of credit cards in connection with this theft.

Scope of Investigation

The investigation was conducted jointly by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, and numerous local police departments, including those from Medford, Moorestown, and Mount Laurel. Additional assistance came from departments in Cinnaminson, Berlin, Delanco, Delran, Gloucester Township, Pine Hill, Clementon, Harrison, Mantua, Ventnor City, Haddon Township, and Washington Township.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Deputy Attorney General and Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Melissa O’Mara, and Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Newton.

Legal Consequences

The charges filed against the defendants span first- to fourth-degree crimes, each carrying significant penalties if convicted:

First-degree charges: 10–20 years in prison, up to $200,000 in fines
Second-degree charges: 5–10 years in prison, up to $150,000 in fines
Third-degree charges: 3–5 years in prison, up to $15,000 in fines
Fourth-degree charges: Up to 18 months in prison, up to $10,000 in fines

As with all criminal indictments, the charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.