8/19/2021- 7:32 p.m.
New Jersey – What began as an investigation into stolen motorcycles and ATVs led investigators to an alleged criminal ring that also included methamphetamines, cocaine and illegal weapons. Eleven people, all Camden residents, were arrested for their alleged roles in the ring, said Andrew Bruck at a news conference at the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office.
“As prosecutors and as law enforcement officers, we have seen how weapons of war are bloodying the streets of Camden,” said Bruck. “We’re committed to cutting off the supply lines.”
The 10-month investigation, dubbed “Operation Grab and Go,” resulted in the recovery of 20 stolen motorcycles and ATVs, but more importantly, said Bruck, it led investigators to seize 20 illegal guns — including an AR-style “ghost gun,” an SKS assault rifle, seven “ghost” 9 mm semiautomatic handguns and 11 other guns, as well as several large-capacity magazines.
Among criminals’ efforts to obtain weapons, he said, are so-called “ghost guns,” sold in parts, often online, and then assembled by the purchaser. Such guns are often lacking serial numbers and can be more difficult for authorities to trace, and, Bruck said, are part of what some see as “perceived loopholes” in New Jersey’s gun control laws. Ghost guns also help people circumvent background checks.
“We’ve got strong, robust gun safety laws that are designed to keep the most dangerous weapons away from those who are most likely to use them. But increasingly, criminals are looking outside our state to jurisdictions with lax gun laws to obtain the firearms they need to commit crimes.”
According to authorities, 28-year-old Lamar Soto was the leader of the criminal ring, but it was also allegedly a family business, as his brother, Jirman Soto, 25, and sister Selena Soto, 24, were also charged. All of them are Camden residents.
- Julio Arroyo, 33, of Camden;
- Genaro Molina, 23, of Camden;
- Ashley Petruchelli, 36, of Camden;
- Luis Rivera, 38, of Camden;
- Pedro Luciano, 37, of Camden;
- Wendell Bethea, 32, of Sicklerville;
- Alberto Lopez, 29, of Camden
The ring operated at least from November 2020 until May 2021, and all but one of the 11 suspects were arrested in June. Pedro Luciano remains at large, while both Soto brothers are currently detained pending trial. The remaining suspects have been released pending detention hearings.
Each suspect is facing conspiracy and receiving stolen property charges, while the Soto brothers, Zayas and Bethea are also facing drug charges. Nine are also facing racketeering charges.
Lamar Soto is charged with promoting organized street crime, leading a firearms trafficking network, and distribution of methamphetamine.
The charges are only allegations. None of the suspects have been convicted of any crime in connection with the case.
