Crime & Safety
Man Attempts to Sell Stolen Car on Craigslist Twice
The man was arrested after driving the stolen car through Mahwah Wednesday afternoon, police say
A man who cops say sold a stolen car on Craigslist, and then re-listed it on the website after it was stolen from the original buyer, was arrested in Mahwah Wednesday afternoon after police noticed an irregularity in the car’s license plate.
According to Mahwah Police Chief Jim Batelli, Reynold Joseph, 40, of Orange was driving the 2006 Pontiac G6 through Mahwah at about 10:40 a.m. Wednesday when Police Officer David Vega pulled him over to question him about his license plate. A scan of the plate revealed it was “not on file,” Batelli said.
After further questioning and investigation, police determined the car had been reported stolen out of Nassau County, NY.
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Joseph claimed he had just purchased the car on Craigslist and produced a title to prove he was the owner, Batelli said.
However, Joseph was also carrying burglary tools and two “master keys” for Toyota Camrys and Acuras, Batelli said.
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Police on Long Island confirmed that Joseph had sold the vehicle to a woman in Nassau County from a listing on Craigslist, but gave her a title from another vehicle, Batelli said.
“When the new owner discovered that she was supplied with the incorrect title, she contacted Joseph and asked him for the correct title which he said he would deliver. Later that evening the vehicle was stolen from the victim's driveway and reported to the Nassau County Police Department,” Batelli said.
Joseph had re-listed the vehicle on Craigslist by the time he was pulled over by the MPD.
Joseph was charged with possession of stolen vehicle, possession of burglary tools and possession of motor vehicle master keys, Batelli said.
He will answer the charges in Mahwah municipal court next week, and will likely face additional charges out of Long Island, police said.
Police were not available to provide additional details on the stolen vehicle Wednesday night.
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