According to the New Jersey Department of Public Law and Safety, Attorney General Stuart Rabner and Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw have recently announced that two Pennsylvania men have been sentenced for their involvement in an auto fraud ring.

Dariusz (Derek) Grabowski and brother, Krzysztof Grabowski, combined face 35 years in a state prison for the thefts of more than $3 million worth of vehicles. Dariusz Grabowski was ordered by Judge Scott J. Moynihan to serve 20 years in state prison, with eight years parole ineligibility, and to pay more than $725,000 in restitution.

An investigation by multiple agencies led to a criminal network of 150 vehicles which were stole, re-tagged, and sold by Dariusz Grabowski. The Office of the Attorney General states that a re-tagged or re-plated vehicle is one that has had its original vehicle identification number plate removed so that a VIN from another vehicle, usually one that has been damaged in an accident, can be affixed to the stolen vehicle to disguise that it was stolen.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Dariusz Grabowski admitted to falsely obtaining more than 130 key codes from Key Code Express in Florida after falsely portraying himself as a locksmith licensed in New York. He also acquired 36 key codes from the Jameson Code Service, and six key codes from the Key Quest key service in order for members of the ring to steal cars from dealerships. He also admitted to being involved with selling at least 42 of the vehicles using eBay.

A release stated that Krzysztof Grabowski admitted that as a member of the operation, he was also part of counterfeiting vehicle tags and titles, and received 15 years in state prison, with seven years parole ineligibility, and must pay more than $725,000 in restitution.

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