Four charged in alleged stolen vehicle operation at Morris County residence, police say
MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — Four people have been charged in connection with an alleged stolen vehicle operation at a residence on Route 46 in the Budd Lake section of Mount Olive Township, where authorities say stolen vehicles were stored and vehicle identification numbers were removed or altered, according to police.
The investigation began in October 2025 when an off-duty Englewood Police Department officer notified Mount Olive police about a vehicle in the township that appeared to have an altered vehicle identification number, or VIN. During the ensuing investigation, detectives determined that the Route 46 residence was allegedly being used to store stolen vehicles and remove or alter their identification numbers.
As the investigation continued, the Mount Olive Police Department’s Investigative and Patrol divisions, working with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, arrested three people in April 2026 in connection with the alleged operation. Police identified them as Jimena Rodriguez, 19, of Budd Lake; Sandra Santa-Sepulveda, 37, of Budd Lake; and Brenda McDonald, 69, of Ossining, New York. All three were charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle and released pending further court proceedings.
Following those arrests, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Mount Olive Police Department executed a search warrant at the Route 46 residence, with assistance from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. According to police, investigators recovered evidence throughout the property that further supported their findings that the location was being used to facilitate the removal and alteration of VINs on stolen vehicles.
Based on evidence recovered during the search, authorities obtained a criminal complaint warrant for Joel A. Rodriguez, 41, of Budd Lake. Rodriguez was charged with being the leader of an auto theft trafficking network, conspiracy to commit auto theft, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, participation in an auto theft trafficking network and alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers.
According to police, Rodriguez was taken into custody at Newark Liberty International Airport in September 2026 and lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility. Authorities also said forfeiture proceedings involving the Route 46 residential property allegedly used in the operation are pending.
“This investigation demonstrates the value of information sharing and collaborative law enforcement efforts in achieving successful outcomes and safeguarding our communities,” Mount Olive Township Police Chief Michael Cordileone said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
