2021 News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2021

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Public Information Bureau (609) 882-2000
Major Brian Polite - ext. 6514
Lt. Jeff Flynn - ext. 6516
Sgt. Lawrence Peele - ext. 6531
Sgt. Philip Curry - ext. 6515
Tpr. II Alejandro Goez - ext. 6527
Tpr. Charles Marchan - ext. 6513


State Police Solve 31 Car Thefts and Dismantle Multi-County Auto Theft Ring

Detectives Charge Six Suspects during Operation “Bust a Move”

Woodbridge Township, N.J. - The New Jersey State Police have arrested 6 suspects and dismantled an alleged multi-county theft ring linked to more than 30 stolen vehicles, 2 motor vehicle pursuits, and various other crimes after a 13-month operation dubbed “Bust a Move.”

On October 31, 2019, troopers from Troop “D” Holmdel Station began investigating a motor vehicle crash involving an overturned Honda Civic on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County.  As a result of the investigation at the scene, troopers seized a stolen 9mm handgun and discovered that the vehicle was wanted by the Sayreville Borough Police Department for fleeing a motor vehicle stop just prior to the crash.

Detectives from the Troop “D” Criminal Investigation Office later discovered that the vehicle was stolen from Sayreville Borough on October 20, 2019 by Chris Rosado, 24, of Newark, N.J. and Kelsey Acosta, 26, of Perth Amboy, N.J. Through various investigative means, investigators determined that Melvin Martinez, 22, and Julian Ferreira, 22, both of Newark, N.J. were in the Honda at the time of the crash, fled the scene, and were later picked up by Kelsey Acosta and Chris Rosado in Woodbridge Township.

On December 17, 2019, detectives arrested Rosado at his residence and charged him with hindering and joyriding. On December 23, 2019, Acosta turned herself into detectives at Holmdel Station and was charged with hindering and possession of marijuana. Based on the information uncovered during the investigation, detectives discovered that Rosado and Acosta were allegedly operating a vehicle-theft ring that targeted Hondas and Acuras in Hudson, Middlesex, and Union Counties. Detectives also identified Collins Kusi, 30, of Roselle, N.J. as a ringleader of the network and Melvin Martinez and Lazaro Ramos, 27, of Keasbey, N.J. as associates within the network.

Detectives also determined that Acosta and Rosado were using a storage facility in Linden, N.J. to store and sell stolen auto parts. On February 21, 2020, State Police detectives executed a search warrant and seized a Honda Civic, a stolen transmission, a stolen engine, fictitious plates, various auto parts, and tools.  The following were charged:

Chris Rosado was charged on December 22, 2020 with the following charges. He is lodged at the Essex County Jail.

  • Conspiracy to commit theft
  • Conspiracy to lead an auto theft network
  • Conspiracy to operate a facility for sale of stolen auto parts
  • Auto theft
  • Leader of auto theft network
  • Operation of facility for sale of stolen auto parts
  • Fencing
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Altering a vehicle identification number
  • Unlawful possession of a handgun
  • Possession of hollow point ammunition
  • Eluding
  • Possession of fraudulent insurance card

On December 22, 2020, detectives arrested Kelsey Acosta at her residence. She was charged with the following and lodged at Middlesex County Jail:

  • Conspiracy to commit theft
  • Conspiracy to lead an auto theft network
  • Conspiracy to operate a facility for sale of stolen auto parts
  • Auto theft
  • Leader of auto theft network
  • Operation of facility for sale of stolen auto parts
  • Fencing
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Altering a vehicle identification number
  • Production of fraudulent insurance card

Collins Kusi was charged on December 22, 2020 with the following charges. He is lodged at the Middlesex County Jail.

  • Conspiracy to commit theft
  • Conspiracy to lead an auto theft network
  • Theft
  • Fencing
  • Production of fraudulent insurance card

On December 4, 2020, detectives arrested Melvin Martinez at his residence. He was charged with the following and lodged at Middlesex County Jail:

  • Conspiracy to commit theft
  • Theft
  • Eluding
  • Receiving stolen property
  • Unlawful possession of a handgun
  • Possession of hollow point ammunition
  • Altering a vehicle identification number
  • Burglary of residence
  • Theft from residence

On December 22, 2020, detectives arrested Julian Ferreira at his residence. He was charged with the following and lodged at Essex County Jail:

  • Joyriding
  • Unlawful possession of a handgun
  • Possession of hollow point ammunition
  • Certain persons not to possess a firearm
  • Receiving stolen property

On November 30, 2020, detectives arrested Lazaro Ramos at a business in Linden, N.J. He was charged with the following and lodged at Middlesex County Jail:

  • Conspiracy to commit theft
  • Theft

The case is being prosecuted by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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