Rachel Sacharow 609-984-1936

TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that an Essex County man has pleaded guilty to stealing a $61,000 Cadillac Escalade from an automobile dealership.

According to Director McKoy and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Steven E. Williams, 29, Eppirt Street, East Orange, Essex County, pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 before Essex County Superior Court Judge Donald J. Volkert to a criminal Accusation charging him with theft by unlawful taking (3rd degree). When sentenced on March 23, Williams faces up to five years in state prison, and a fine of up to $15,000.

At the guilty plea hearing, Williams admitted that between April 24 and April 29, 2004, he stole a 2004 Cadillac Escalade, valued at $61,000, from Royal Cadillac in Florham Park, Morris County. Williams admitted that he went to Royal Cadillac to shop for a new Cadillac. When the Cadillac salesman showed him a new Cadillac, Williams switched a blank key with the valet key for the new Cadillac. Later that day, Williams admitted he went back to Royal Cadillac and utilized the valet key to steal the Cadillac Escalade. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Williams subsequently “re-tagged” the stolen Cadillac replacing the valid Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with a different VIN in order to conceal its identity from law enforcement.

State Investigator Jarek Pyrzanowski, and Deputy Attorney General Richard W. Queen were assigned to the investigation. DAG Queen represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the guilty plea hearing. Detective Sargent Stan Chciuk from the Essex County/Union County Auto Theft Task Force also assisted in the investigation.

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