Thirteen individuals have been indicted on racketeering and related charges for their alleged roles in a multi-state car theft ring operating out of Camden, authorities announced Friday.

According to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the New Jersey State Police, brothers Alex Vargas, 27, of Camden, and Alexi Vargas, 24, of Pennsauken, allegedly ran the sophisticated operation, which targeted high-end vehicles at dealerships and airport parking lots across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware.

The indictments charge the Vargas brothers and other defendants with racketeering, conspiracy, promoting organized street crime, theft, and weapons offenses. Officials said the enterprise was linked to at least 41 stolen vehicles, many of them Jeep Grand Cherokees, Dodge Chargers and Durangos, and Ram trucks.

“These charges describe an organized criminal operation that was both sophisticated and dangerous,” Attorney General Platkin said. “Three of the defendants are also charged in Philadelphia for allegedly killing one police officer and assaulting another. Taking down this ring is part of our constant efforts to keep the public safe.”

Authorities said enterprise members used screwdrivers, wrenches, or bolt cutters to break into targeted vehicles, then reprogrammed keys before driving them to Camden County, where they were resold with fake registrations. Fraudulent documents were allegedly created by defendant Jimmy Marte-Toledo, who used a family member’s business to generate counterfeit New Jersey temporary tags.

The ring also relied on multiple layers of organization:

Alex and Alexi Vargas – alleged ringleaders who identified target vehicles and used key re-programmers.

Albert Santana-Fernandez – manager of lower-level members.

Theft crews – including Santana-Fernandez, Franklyn Rodriguez-Santana, Yobranny Martinez-Fernandez, Randy Garcia-Liriano, Alexander Batista-Polanco, Jeitoni Suarez-Cuevas, Lewys Santana-Pichardo, Nelfi Fortuna-Fernandez, and Hendrick Pena-Fernandez.

Document forgers and fencers – including Marte-Toledo, Garcia-Liriano, and Santana-Pichardo, who allegedly helped sell stolen vehicles with fake VINs and registrations.

Prosecutors say the enterprise used firearms to protect its operations. Violent acts tied to the group include a September 2023 shooting in Winslow Township and the October 2023 killing of Philadelphia Police Officer Richard Mendez and wounding of Officer Raul Ortiz.

Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, said the case underscores the broader dangers tied to car theft rings.

“These criminal enterprises don’t just steal vehicles; they endanger public safety, fuel violence, and destabilize our communities,” Callahan said.

The indictments cover crimes spanning July 2021 through January 2024. If convicted, defendants face significant prison terms: up to 20 years for first-degree charges, 10 years for second-degree, five years for third-degree, and 18 months for fourth-degree crimes.

Attorney General Platkin credited the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for bringing the case forward.