December 23, 10

NEWS / South Jersey Man Charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

TRENTON - Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a South Jersey man was indicted yesterday for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle.

According to Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Riza Dagli, Tyrone Gittens, 43, formerly of Browns Mills and currently of Blackwood, was charged yesterday (Dec. 21) with third-degree receiving stolen property and third-degree alteration of a vehicle identification number.

The Burlington County grand jury indictment alleges that between March 14 and March 21, 2007, Gittens was in possession of a stolen 2007 Dodge Charger, knowing that it had been stolen. The indictment further alleges that Gittens removed or altered the vehicle identification number of the Charger for the purpose of concealing the theft of the vehicle.

Detective David S. Sorantino of the New Jersey State Police, Detective Anthony Butler of the Division of Criminal Justice and Deputy Attorney General Paul D. Santangini were assigned to the investigation. Santangini presented the case to the Burlington County grand jury. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Dagli thanked the New Jersey State Police Auto Unit - South Squad for its assistance in the investigation.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases10/pr20101222a.html