Five New Jersey men have been charged with stealing at least eight luxury cars across two states, breaking into homes with a crowbar, and stealing tens of thousands of dollars in jewelry and a loaded revolver, the Attorney General’s Office announced Friday.
Samir White, 19; Quamine McDonald, 18; Samir Jordan, 21; and Tauheed McLean, 21, all of Newark; and Tysir Phillips, 19, of Orange, were charged with conspiracy, auto theft, home invasion burglary, and firearms charges, officials said.
White is the first person to face charges under new state legislation that increases punishment for home invasions, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The new law makes home invasion burglary a first-degree offense, whereas residential burglary is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Between September 2024 and February 2025, the men are accused of stealing luxury cars such as Porsches, BMWs, Range Rovers, Mercedes-Benzes, and Audis and then using the vehicles to commit burglaries and steal other cars, according to officials.
On December 11, 2024, White and the other males broke into a residence on River Road in Wall Township and took $10,000 in jewelry, a loaded revolver, handbags, a key fob, and a 2020 Porsche 911, according to authorities.
Eleven days later, on December 22, 2024, White and the others broke into homes on Crescent Parkway and Washington Boulevard in Sea Girt and stole key fobs for two cars and other valuables, according to officials.
Authorities said the males stole a 2025 Range Rover, fancy apparel, and sunglasses from a home on Crescent Parkway.
Officials reported the theft of a BMW X3 from a property on Washington Boulevard.
Later that day, the vehicle was driven to Midland Avenue in East Orange, where one of the males entered a home and stole the keys to a 2024 Audi RSQ8, according to officials. Two men then drove away with the cars.
The men are accused of stealing eight cars worth more than $700,000, according to officials.
Officials asserted that electronic and physical monitoring, along with cellular data, linked White to these and other instances.