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TRENTON
- Attorney General Zulima V. Farber and
Gregory A. Paw, Director of the Division
of Criminal Justice, announced that a Perth
Amboy man has pleaded guilty for his role
in an auto theft and insurance fraud ring.
According
to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden
Brown, Aneudy “Elvis” Ruiz,
25, of Courtlandt Street, Perth Amboy, pleaded
guilty yesterday before Superior Court Judge
Scott J. Moynihan in Union County to charges
of receiving stolen property and conspiracy
to commit insurance fraud, both second-degree
offenses. Under the plea agreement, the
state will recommend that Ruiz be sentenced
to four years in state prison and be ordered
to pay restitution. Ruiz may also face civil
insurance fraud fines.
An
investigation by the Division of Criminal
Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor
revealed that Ruiz’ auto theft ring
was involved in thefts of over 20 cars worth
over $800,000.
At
the guilty plea hearing, Ruiz admitted that
between October 2004 and January 2006, he
was involved in a conspiracy with other
persons to steal cars and accept owner “give
ups” of vehicles so fraudulent auto
insurance claims could be submitted. A “give
up” occurs when the owner of a car
voluntarily gives it to another so that
a false theft claim can be submitted and
the car can be chopped for parts or retagged
with a new vehicle identification number
and sold.
Ruiz
admitted that while working as a salesman
at Lincoln Mercury/Mazda of the Sansone
Auto Mall on Route 1 in Avenel, he stole
spare ignition keys and used them to steal
vehicles from the dealership. Additionally,
Ruiz admitted to being involved in three
owner “give ups” where he took
cars from their owners so the owners could
report them stolen and submit phony insurance
theft claims. Ruiz admitted to selling eight
cars stolen from the auto dealership for
a total of $18,000 and selling the three
give-up cars for a total of $1,500.
“Frequently
insurance fraud investigations lead to evidence
of stolen automobiles and alteration of
vehicle identification numbers,” said
Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden
Brown. “This particular investigation
uncovered a large auto theft ring. Our investigation
is ongoing and charges against additional
persons are likely.”
Deputy
Attorney General Jacqueline D. Smith represented
the state at the guilty plea hearing. The
investigation was conducted by State Investigators
Jeffrey Lorman and Jarek Pyrzanowski and
Civil Investigator Gary Miller. Assisting
were State Investigators Luis Cruz, Wendy
Wylie, Joseph Luccarelli and former State
Investigator Karen Rivera, as well as Donald
Cavallo of the National Insurance Crime
Bureau. American Road, Geico and Auto One
Insurance Companies also assisted in the
investigation.
Ruiz
is scheduled to appear before Judge Moynihan
on Aug. 25 to be sentenced.
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