Maryland man sentenced in burglary ring tied to thefts in Morris, Sussex and Somerset counties
NEW JERSEY — A Maryland man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a multistate commercial burglary ring responsible for a series of break-ins at consignment stores, including burglaries in Morris, Sussex and Somerset counties, federal prosecutors said.
Dominique Hayes, 30, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced July 29 to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court. Hayes previously pleaded guilty on Nov. 18, 2025, to one count of conspiracy to receive stolen property.
The court also ordered Hayes to pay $2,167,688 in restitution to victims.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Hayes was part of a burglary ring that committed at least 18 commercial burglaries between March and November 2024 in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.
Federal prosecutors said Hayes and his co-conspirators targeted consignment shops during overnight hours, using sledgehammers and other objects to force entry before stealing designer handbags and other luxury merchandise. The stolen items were then transported across state lines and sold or otherwise disposed of.
Authorities said the burglary spree included several New Jersey businesses.
In Roxbury Township (Morris County), the same consignment store was burglarized three times. Investigators said suspects broke into the business on March 20, March 26 and June 18, 2024, stealing luxury items during each incident. Evidence, including vehicle tracking data and digital evidence, linked the defendants to the crimes.
In Watchung (Somerset County), authorities said a designer resale shop was burglarized on March 11, 2024, with suspects forcibly entering the business and stealing numerous high-value handbags.
In Branchville (Sussex County), investigators said a consignment boutique was burglarized on April 14, 2024. Stolen merchandise was valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, and phone location data linked the defendants to the area.
Federal prosecutors said some of the targeted businesses were burglarized more than once and that victims collectively lost more than $2 million in merchandise and property damage.
Anyone who believes they may be a victim or has information about the burglary ring is asked to call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or contact a local Homeland Security Investigations field office.
