Fermin Ortiz, 52, whose last known address was in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, and his ex-wife, Judy Perez (formerly Ortiz), 52, of Trenton, were charged yesterday (June 4) with second-degree operation of a facility for sale of stolen automobiles or parts, third-degree receiving stolen property, and third-degree fencing.

Ortiz and Perez operated Capitol City Collision and Arena Auto Sales, both located at 330 Reservoir Street in Trenton. It is alleged that, between July 29, 2007 and October 2, 2008, the defendants used the facilities for the remodeling, repainting, or separating of automobile parts for the resale of stolen automobiles.

It is further alleged that Ortiz and Perez knowingly received or brought the following stolen vehicles and parts into New Jersey: a 1995 Chevrolet Impala; a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500; a Lexus steering column with air bag; a Lexus dash board with air bag; a Dodge Ram passenger side air bag; a Dodge Ram steering column with air bag; a 2003 Mercedes Benz interior front left door panel; a 2003 Mercedes Benz interior front right door panel; a 2003 Mercedes Benz interior rear left door panel; and a 2003 Mercedes Benz interior rear right door panel.

Deputy Attorney General Cheryl A. Maccaroni and Detective Hector Montano handled the matter for the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi thanked AIG Insurance Company, Dan Pilla, Investigator with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and Lou Stanicki and Donald Cavallo, NICB Special Agents, for their assistance in the investigation. Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi also thanked AIG Insurance Company for referring the matter to the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000, while crimes of the third degree carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000.

Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Chillemi noted that some important cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the Web site at www.NJInsurancefraud.org . State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.

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