Law Enforcement Makes Arrests in Residential Burglary/Auto Theft Ring

Published on July 25, 2025

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Florham Park Police Chief Joseph Orlando, and Denville Police Chief Scott Welsch announce charges have been filed against several individuals allegedly engaged in conspiracy to commit the acts of residential burglary, motor vehicle theft, fencing, receiving stolen motor vehicles, and computer criminal activity.

It is alleged that between September 2024 and December 2024, Tyshawn Hoover, Samad Foster, Deeend Coleman-McRae Zayanna Overby, a juvenile, and other yet to be identified co-conspirators were involved in a conspiracy spanning multiple jurisdictions. The investigation revealed Hoover and Foster to be leaders in this network.

Data obtained via warrants, surveillance video, and other stored records available through mobile devices allegedly placed Hoover, Foster and Coleman-McRae in the area of a Sept. 20, 2024 residential burglary/vehicle theft in Florham Park, in which two suspects entered the victim’s residence, removed a key fob for a 2023 Land Rover, and stole the vehicle. The investigation also determined Hoover fenced the 2023 Land Rover.

It is also alleged that Hoover and Foster were in the area of a November 20, 2024 attempted residential burglary/attempted vehicle theft in Florham Park, in which the suspects arrived at the victim home in a stolen vehicle and two suspects attempted to enter a locked 2022 Honda Civic and residence by damaging the screen of a window. The would-be burglars were interrupted and fled.

Hoover, along with members of his auto theft trafficking network, are also alleged to have been in the area of a residential burglary and vehicle theft in West Orange that same day, and sent messages evidencing an attempt to fence a Mercedes Benz GLE that was stolen in West Orange.

Further investigation revealed that Foster is alleged to have continuously provided a woman, later identified as Zayannah Overby, with license plates of luxury vehicles so she could use her Newark Police Department civilian employee access to learn what addresses were associated with these vehicles so they could be stolen and fenced. It is further alleged that Overby ran the license plate of a Land Rover registered to the Florham Park home that was subject to the attempted residential burglary/attempted vehicle theft on November 20, 2024, with no lawful request do such.

Additional investigation placed Hoover and a juvenile at the scene of a motor vehicle theft, that being an unoccupied, running BMW M5, in Denville on December 5, 2024. 

During the course of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Hillside, and at that time, Coleman-McRae and Jameer D. Smith were located in the residence and found in possession of suspected controlled dangerous substances, specifically cocaine and heroin. An additional search via amended search warrant also located two handguns, one of which was defaced, two large capacity firearm magazines, and drug distribution paraphernalia. Approximately $7,060 in suspected narcotics proceeds were also seized.

The following individuals were arrested as a result of this investigation to date, and have been charged in Morris County:

 

Tyshawn Z. Hoover, 24, of Newark:

  • Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Fencing, Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicles & Computer Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:18-2.2, 2C:20-10.1, 2C:20-7.1(b), 2C:20-10.2 and 2C:30-2(a), Second Degree
  • Leader of an Auto Theft Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-18, Second Degree
  • Use of a Juvenile in Theft of Auto, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-17, Second Degree
  • Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Second Degree
  • Fencing, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-7.1(b), Second Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Residential Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2.2, Second Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Third Degree
  • Burglary (residential burglary committed before October 18, 2024), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(a)(1), Third Degree
  • Two (2) counts of Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.2a, Third Degree
  • Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Third Degree
  • Criminal Mischief, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, Disorderly Persons

 

Samad A. Foster, 29, of Newark:

  • Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Fencing, Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicles & Computer Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:18-2.2, 2C:20-10.1, 2C:20-7.1(b), 2C:20-10.2 and 2C:30-2(a), Second Degree
  • Leader of an Auto Theft Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-18, Second Degree
  • Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Second Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Residential Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2.2, Second Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Third Degree
  • Burglary (residential burglary committed before October 18, 2024), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(a)(1), Third Degree
  • Two (2) counts of Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.2a, Third Degree
  • Criminal Mischief, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, Disorderly Persons

 

Deeend T. Coleman-McRae, 25, of Hillside, has been charged in Morris and Union counties with:

  • Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Fencing, Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicles & Computer Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:18-2.2, 2C:20-10.1, 2C:20-7.1(b), 2C:20-10.2 and 2C:30-2(a), Second Degree
  • Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Second Degree
  • Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS Offense, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, Second Degree
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Participant of an Auto Theft Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-18, Third Degree
  • Burglary (residential burglary committed before October 18, 2024), in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2(a)(1), Third Degree
  • Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.2a, Third Degree
  • Possession of Heroin, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), Third Degree
  • Possession of Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), Third Degree
  • Money Laundering, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a, Third Degree
  • Possession of a Defaced Firearm, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(d), Fourth Degree
  • Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(j), Fourth Degree
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, Fourth Degree

 

Zayannah T. Overby, 22, of Newark, has been charged in Morris and Essex counties with:

  • Conspiracy to Commit Residential Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Fencing, Receiving Stolen Motor Vehicles & Computer Criminal Activity in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:18-2.2, 2C:20-10.1, 2C:20-7.1(b), 2C:20-10.2 and 2C:30-2(a), Second Degree
  • Computer Criminal Activity, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-25(c), Second Degree
  • Participant of an Auto Theft Trafficking Network in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-18, Third Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Residential Burglary, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2.2, Second Degree
  • Criminal Attempt/Motor Vehicle Theft, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a & N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.1, Third Degree
  • Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-10.2a, Third Degree
  • Criminal Mischief, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:17-3, Disorderly Persons

 

Jameer D. Smith, 25, of Newark, has been charged in Union County with:

  • Conspiracy to Distribute CDS, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 & 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Possession of a Firearm While Committing a CDS Offense, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4.1a, Second Degree
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5b(2), Second Degree
  • Possession of Heroin, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), Third Degree
  • Possession of Cocaine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), Third Degree
  • Money Laundering, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25a, Third Degree
  • Possession of a Defaced Firearm, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(d), Fourth Degree
  • Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3(j), Fourth Degree
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Distribute, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-3, Fourth Degree

 

Pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Hoover and Foster remain detained in the Essex County Jail pending motions for pretrial detention, Smith remains detained in the Union County Jail pending a motion for pretrial detention and Coleman-McRae remains detained in the Morris County Jail pending a motion for pretrial detention. Overby was released under the conditions of Pre-Trial Monitoring Level II.

Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations within the Department of Homeland Security, Florham Park Police Department, Union County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Denville Police Department.

Prosecutor Carroll said: “As I said last autumn with the signing of new legislation increasing the penalties for home invasions, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is taking the concerns expressed by the public and our municipal police chiefs seriously – burglars entering homes has eroded residents’ sense of safety. I applaud all our law enforcement partners for doggedly doing their due diligence to expose this criminal network, especially the efforts of MCPO Lt. James Bruno, MCPO Sgt. Sasha Gould, MCPO Det. Lamar Hagans, Florham Park PD Det. Thomas Belli, Denville PD Det. Michael Ambrose, and Assistant Prosecutor Noelle Fiorentino. It was a time-consuming and expansive investigation and demonstrates excellent multiple interagency cooperation among dedicated law enforcement personnel. We will not hesitate to aggressively use the expanded burglary law when appropriate to hold those who violate the sanctity of our residents’ homes accountable. Our shared goal is to also deter the recruitment of juveniles into criminal organizations, which has become a serious problem.”

Chief Orlando said, “I am grateful to Prosecutor Carroll for hearing and understanding the concerns of our residents and the municipal police chiefs regarding the seriousness of these crimes and the significant role he played in securing revisions to the State statutes enhancing the penalties for the same.  I want to thank the outstanding police work and cooperation exhibited across Local, County, and Federal Law enforcement, which was crucial in bringing these cases to a successful conclusion. I particularly want to recognize Detective Thomas Belli, whose extensive and exhaustive investigative efforts identified the involved suspects and set the table for a significantly larger, far-reaching investigation.”

A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, these defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Media inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to mknab@co.morris.nj.us.

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