Cars Stolen in Madison, Chatham Recovered in Elizabeth

Middletown Police recovered on Thursday morning two vehicles in Elzabeth that had been reported stolen from Chatham and Madison, police said.

Jaime Fontanez, 34, of Elizabeth, has been charged with theft, conspiracy, and eluding. His bail was set at $100,000 by the Hon. Richard English, Monmouth County Superior Court judge. 

Fontanez was also charged with receiving stolen property by the Elizabeth Police Department Additional complaints are expected to be signed by other police agencies.

Fontanez allegedly stole a car in Belford and led police on a high-speed pursuit on Sept. 22. 

Police said Fontanez was allegedly responsible for stealing a 2010 Audi that was later recovered in Elizabeth. 

As a result of an investigation, Middletown police were led to a residence on Lafayette Street in Elizabeth, where they located Fontanez and took him into custody with the assistance of the Elizabeth Police Department.

Also recovered there were two additional vehicles parked near the residence that had been reported as stolen from Madison and Chatham. 

Several cars from Chatham have been stolen in recent months, including a of the and .

Police say Fontanez was found to be in possession of the keys to one of the other stolen cars at the time of his arrest. 

Middletown police are continuing to investigate possible links between Fontanez and a stolen car ring, which is believed to be responsible for the theft of more than 40 luxury vehicles throughout the state, police said.

Fontanez remains in the custody of the Middletown police and will be remanded to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.