The investigation offered a glimpse into the intricate network of conspirators necessary to turn a stolen car into cash.
In Ms. Kantete’s ring, gang members would do the carjacking and then sell the vehicle to fences for a few thousand dollars.
From there, according to court documents, the car would be sent to an individual who specializes in “retagging,” or creating a clean vehicle identification number.
Ms. Kantete then would find customers and ship the cars overseas.
While weapons are used in most carjackings, very rarely do they lead to injury or death, officials said. Since 2009, three people had been killed during carjackings in Essex County, including Mr. Friedland, 30.
Mr. Telekian, the owner of the auto-body shop, said the spate of carjackings had influenced his behavior. He no longer leaves any of the shop’s cars outside the building’s roll-down doors.
And, after a lifetime in Newark and 46 years as a business owner, Mr. Telekian, 72, said all of the crime has made him want to leave New Jersey.
“This used to be a very nice town,” he said.
Article Appeared @http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/nyregion/an-epidemic-of-carjackings-afflicts-newark.html?pagewanted=2&hp