TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice
Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that
a Union County man has pleaded guilty
to theft for receiving stolen automobiles
worth more than $170,000, and “re-tagging”
them.
According to Director McKoy and Insurance
Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Mariusz
Mroczka, 25, Lafayette Street, Linden,
Union County, pleaded guilty on Jan. 19
before Union County Superior Court Judge
John S. Triarsi to a criminal Accusation
filed by the Division of Criminal Justice
- Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.
The Accusation charged Mroczka with receiving
stolen property (2nd degree). When sentenced
on April 15, Mroczka faces up to 10 years
in state prison and a criminal fine of
up to $150,000.
At the guilty plea, Mroczka admitted that
between Sept. 26 and Oct. 2, 2003, he
took possession of four cars with a combined
value of $170,000 - a 2001 Lexus IS 300,
a 2001 Lexus GS 430, a 2003 Lexus SC 430,
and a 1997 Volkswagen Jetta. Mroczka took
possession of the stolen cars both for
his personal use and so that they could
be “re-tagged” and re-sold.
Re-tagging a vehicle means that the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) is removed
from the car and a different VIN is placed
on the car so that it can be hidden from
law enforcement and appear to be not stolen.
While executing a search warrant on Mrockza’s
property, state investigators from the
Division of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor found the
stolen cars. In addition, investigators
found various parts from other automobiles,
mechanic’s tools, and other evidence
consistent with vehicle re-tagging.
An investigation by the Division
of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined
that, following the thefts, the owners
of the cars submitted automobile insurance
theft claims to several insurance companies,
including New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance
Company, AIG Insurance Company, Allstate
Insurance Company, and the Peerless Insurance
Company.
State Investigators Jarek Pyrzanowski,
Marc Cofone, Scott Stevens, and Jose Vendas,
and Deputy Attorney General Richard W.
Queen were assigned to the investigation
into this case. DAG Queen represented
the Division of Criminal Justice - Office
of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the guilty
plea hearing.
“Frequently
insurance fraud investigations lead to
evidence of stolen automobiles and alteration
of automobile VIN’s,” Fraud
Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown said. “This
particular theft was uncovered as part
of an insurance fraud investigation of
stolen vehicles. The Office of Insurance
Fraud Prosecutor will continue to follow
evidence of fraud and theft wherever it
leads.”
Noting that some important cases have
begun with anonymous tips from the public,
Prosecutor Brown emphasized that individuals
can make a difference. “We need
people’s information, not their
identities. People who are concerned about
insurance cheating and have any information
about a fraud can call our toll-free hotline
at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or
visit our Web site at www.NJInsurancefraud.org
.”
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