Wheels fall off for bike bandits

[PeteSC]

Cops hit for cycle: Wheels fall off for bike bandits
JACK KNARR, Staff Writer05/05/2005
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BORDENTOWN TWP. -- The names of three Trenton men -- and one who was murdered last week -- highlighted a list of 20 suspected motorcycle thieves in "Operation Ninja" -- a sweep executed by state police yesterday.


Cory J. Carthan, 31; Rodney J. West, 31, and Johnnie E. Kennedy, 24, all were charged with third degree receiving stolen property in the massive round-up of 19 suspects in Mercer and Burlington Counties.

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During the sweep, 40 stolen motorcycles -- including a number of racing-style "Ninja" bikes -- were confiscated, along with two vehicles (a BMW X5 SUV, and a Chrysler Crossfire), and a handgun. The goods were worth $500,000.

A confidential source said Jason Eric ("Crazy J") Gilchrist, 25, of Trenton, was to have been arrested as well. Police identified him as an ATV thief in an incident in January.

But Gilchrist, whom police identified as a Bloods street gang member, was murdered outside a speed shop at 2500 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, last Thursday -- shot once in the chest and four times in the back.

He is due to be buried this morning in Ewing Cemetery. Detectives in Philadelphia and Trenton suspect his killer was getting revenge for having been ripped off in the sale of a set of wheel rims to Gilchrist.

State police wouldn?t comment on the possibility Gilchrist was involved in the ring.

The State Police Auto Unit began investigating motorcycle and ATV thefts in February of 2004. Then last summer FBI agents and detectives from the Mercer County Prosecutor?s Office initiated a parallel "sting" operation into auto and motorcycle thefts in Trenton and Hamilton.

State police found "an extensive criminal network" that stole motorcycles and ATVs out of Willingboro and Pennsauken in Burlington County and in Mercer and Camden counties.

The probe stretched to Delaware, Virginia, New York, California and Georgia where stolen bikes were sold.

"Today?s arrests resulted from a concerted and comprehensive investigation," Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said in a press release.

"Our department is taking direct aim at stolen vehicle schemes and will investigate, arrest and prosecute anyone involved in such activity, particularly when it endangers innocent lives."

Various insurance, fraud, and law enforcement officials spoke at the press conference held at the N.J. National Guard armory on Route 206.

"We not only dismantled a criminal enterprise today, we have eliminated a public safety concern." said Maj. Gordon Coleman of the State Police Investigations Section.

"In addition to motorcycle thefts, this group put the public in danger through their reckless riding on highways and through neighborhoods ... these machines are capable of exceeding speeds of 150 miles per hour."

Detective Mark Wilhelm was credited with breaking the case. He works under Detective Sgt. Anthony Martin in the State Police Auto Unit.

Maj. Coleman said the covert operation lasted 14 months.

He said some thieves, including mechanics, "used their jobs ... to identify targets (speed bikes) of opportunity."

He said state police recovered 40 stolen bikes, and believe hundreds of motorcycles have been stolen, replated and resold to unsuspecting victims over the past 10 years. They?re tracking 12 that went out of state.

Wilhelm said thieves also scanned Auto Trader motorcycleclassified ads, called the sellers, went to see the bikes, and later returned at night to steal the ones they liked.

He confirmed the suspects worked together. "We?ve established a connection between them all," he said. "They all interacted with each other."

Asked if they met regularly in one location, Wilhelm said, "That part of the investigation, we have some information on, but I?m not at liberty to say right now.

He also declined to say whether troopers infiltrated the band.

"It was covert, like the major said, but I?m not at will to go into that," he said.

Many of the suspects were avid bike enthusiasts.

"Some of them were stunt riders -- street-type riding," Wilhelm said. Gilchrist was one of these, police said.

Ironically Wilhelm, who was largely responsible for breaking up the ring, has never ridden a motorcycle.

Others arrested on charges of third degree receiving stolen property were: Torray Murphy, 29; Kyle Bunn, 27; Ronald R. Crosland, 27; John E. White, 21; Gregory C. Haygood, 23; Jamar L. Doggett, 25; Rodney M. Butler, 30; Quentin O. Durden, 27; Anthony B. Angelone, 27; Floyd B. Robertson, 33, and Anton S. Hall, 26, all of Willingboro.

Also, Kevi C. Williamson, 29, and Aaron K. Auten, 30, both of Burlington; Jaesen R. Henley, 23, Browns Mills; Randolph L. Brolo, 27, Lumberton, and Janine C. Barnes, 21, of Edgewater Park. Barnes was also charged with conspiracy, and Hall with possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN.

One suspect for whom an arrest warrant had been issued was not picked up.

Sgt. Stephen Jones, state police spokesman, said the suspects faced a host of possibilities. Some may have charges upgraded to second degree receiving stolen property; others will face additional crimes, and some suspects will face charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, after further consideration by the State Attorney General?s Office, and a state grand jury.

He had no details on the suspects? arraignments.

A confidential source said Jason Eric ("Crazy J") Gilchrist, 25, of Trenton, was to have been arrested as well. Police identified him as an ATV thief in an incident in January.

But Gilchrist, whom police identified as a Bloods street gang member, was murdered outside a speed shop at 2500 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, last Thursday -- shot once in the chest and four times in the back.

He is due to be buried this morning in Ewing Cemetery. Detectives in Philadelphia and Trenton suspect his killer was getting revenge for having been ripped off in the sale of a set of wheel rims to Gilchrist.

What a shame!   One less sleaze-oid in the world.

[snofrog]

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