Prison Time For NJ Car Theft Ringleader

He ran a car theft ring that stole over 100 vehicles and now Jose D. Lopez, 33, aka “Cholo,” is heading to prison.

Acting State Attorney General John Hoffman says the South Amboy man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for promoting organized street crime.

“By organizing this stolen vehicle ring, this defendant deprived many hard-working contractors, plumbers, electricians and painters of their essential resources,” says Hoffman. “The lengthy prison sentence imposed today is reflective of the serious nature of the crime.”

In pleading guilty Lopez admits that between June 2012 and June 2013, he promoted organized street crime by conspiring to steal 104 vehicles.  A joint investigation uncovered that Lopez arranged for some of the vehicles to be stripped of their parts so the parts could be sold, and he arranged for the contents of others to be sold.

“These types of rings affect not only the owners of the stolen vehicles, but also all New Jerseyans who pay car insurance, by increasing the premiums all of us pay for car insurance.” Says acting N.J. Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi. “Such criminal activity will not be tolerated in New Jersey.”