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Among the victims were B&M Auto Mall in Clifton, which was broken into twice, as well as Lakeview Auto (also in Clifton) and Otocity in Totowa, a 131-count indictment returned by a grand jury in Paterson says.
Also victimized in a 10-month spree that began in January last year were dealerships in East Brunswick, Jefferson Township, Neptune Township, Old Bridge, Sayreville and South Brunswick, it says.
Other charges stem from an attempted third break-in at B&M Auto Mall, and incidents in which other offenses occurred when police tried to arrest suspects or recover stolen cars.
The indictment names Tahaad Caster, 20 (top left in photos above), as the ringleader.
Caster, who has remained behind bars since being arrested last October, is charged with a variety of related offenses, including burglary, conspiracy, eluding police and using a juvenile to commit a crime.
Also charged with various related offenses:
- Demetrius Balmer, Jorge Lopez, Jahon Lloyd and Malik Patterson-- all 20 years old;
- Raequann Reid and Jahad Toney -- both 22 years old;
- Donte Gaskin and Shamell Sparks -- both 23 years old.
Some were detained while others released with conditions, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.
She thanked police from Clifton, Paterson, Totowa, Sayreville, Jefferson Township, Old Bridge, South Brunswick, Neptune City and East Brunswick, as well as the Passaic County Sherriff’s Department.
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