On November 30, 2018, the Kearny Police Department arrested seven individuals in connection with a cargo theft network following a lengthy investigation into thefts from multiple Kearny trucking yards.
Police say an eighth individual was arrested on December 6, 2018.
According to police, the investigation was initiated by the Kearny Police Department and the New Jersey State Police 18-months ago.
Since that time, there have been approximately 15 thefts of tractor trailer containers from Kearny trucking yards according to police.
The stolen merchandise included food items, cosmetics, chemicals, tires, linen, clothing and liquor with an approximate total retail value of more than $4,000,000.
The stolen merchandise was housed in warehouses in Linden, North Bergen and Clifton subsequent to the thefts police said.
The following is a list of the individuals who were arrested, as well as their charges:
Douglas Abarca, 40, of Jersey City, has been charged with Leader of a Cargo Theft Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-2.4, four counts of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3; and four counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
Omar Ortiz, 37, of Jersey City, has been charged with three counts of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3; and three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
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Christopher Williams, 38, of Jersey City, has been charged with two counts of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3; and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
David Soliman, age 32, of Jersey City, has been charged with one count of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3; and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
Jesus Navarro, age 31, of Jersey City, has been charged with one count of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3 and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
Nelson Pena-Restituyo, 52, of Union City, has been charged with one count of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3 and one count of Burglary in violation of N.J.S. 2C:18-2.
Sami Khales, 26, of Palisades Park, has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3, two counts of Receiving Stolen Property in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7; and three counts of Fencing in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7.1
Juan Salazar, 40, of Elizabeth, who was arrested on December 6, 2018, has been charged with three counts of Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3; and three counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2 and 20-3.
Police said during the 18-month investigation, law enforcement officers recovered various amounts of the stolen merchandise including 36 pallets of Hershey Syrup with an approximate wholesale value of $120,000, a shipment of clothing with an approximate wholesale value of $300,000 and a shipment of waffle sandwiches with an approximate wholesale value of $40,000.
Kearny Police Chief George King credited members of the Kearny Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Unit with the arrests, stating
”These arrests are the culmination of an intensive investigation spanning multiple law enforcement agencies. I am extremely proud of the work down by members of the Kearny Police Department.
Detective Bureau and their collaboration with County, State, and Federal agencies to bring this to a successful conclusion.” Chief King also credited members of the New Jersey State Police, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Real Time Crime Center with their assistance in the investigation.
The Kearny Police Department continues to actively investigate these cases.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kearny Police Department at 201-998-1313 or tips@kearnynjpd.org. All information will be kept confidential.