A comprehensive investigation into the interstate theft of luxury cars has culminated in the sentencing of Malik Baker, a 30-year-old from Vauxhall, New Jersey, to 41 months in prison. Baker was convicted for his involvement in a conspiracy that targeted high-end vehicles in several states, including notable thefts in Orangeburg, Rockland County. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger, marking a significant victory for law enforcement.
Presided over by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court, the case against Baker included charges of conspiring to transport stolen vehicles across state lines and receiving a stolen vehicle that had traversed state boundaries. Baker’s sentencing is part of a broader crackdown on a theft ring that also implicated Hakeem Smith, Nafique Goodwyn, and Bilal Cureton, who have faced or are facing sentences for related crimes.
The criminal network is responsible for stealing at least 10 luxury vehicles from New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey since July 2019. The list of stolen luxury cars includes a 2017 Mercedes AMG S63 taken from Orangeburg, Rockland County, in September 2019, showcasing the wide geographical spread of their criminal activities. The stolen vehicles were concealed in Irvington, New Jersey, and were often used as tools in further theft operations. In one incident, a confrontation with law enforcement following a theft attempt resulted in a high-speed crash, demonstrating the dangerous lengths to which the criminals went to avoid capture.
Judge Salas also imposed three years of supervised release on Baker, underscoring the severity of the offenses. The successful prosecution of this case was the result of collaboration among various law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Newark Police Department, underlining the effectiveness of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. This partnership approach to law enforcement aims to combat violent crime and improve safety within communities by pooling resources and expertise.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Amore, Chief of the General Crimes Unit, led the government’s efforts in this case.