N.J. Man Sentenced for Role with Auto Theft Ring

New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that a Marlboro Township man has been sentenced for his role in a stolen automobile trafficking ring.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Patryk Zygadlo, 29, of Marlboro Township, was ordered by Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim in Union County on Friday, Sept. 5, to serve five years probation and to pay $9,500 restitution. Zygadlo was sentenced pursuant to his guilty plea to two counts of a Union County indictment which charged him with conspiracy and insurance fraud. The corporation pleaded guilty to a separate criminal accusation which charged third degree receiving stolen property.

At the May 27 guilty plea hearing, Zygadlo reportedly admitted that between May 13, 2003 and March 24, 2004, he agreed with others to possess a stolen 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with an altered VIN number in order to commit insurance fraud and theft by deception. Zygadlo reported the vehicle stolen to the New Brunswick Police Department and subsequently submitted two claims to State Farm – one for $2,972 for a rental car and another for $26,685 for the value of the vehicle.

State Farm paid Patryk Zygadlo $3,352 before denying the second claim for the value of the vehicle. Zygadlo also admitted that he changed the VIN number a second time and conspired with others to resell the vehicle on eBay to a customer in Idaho for $28,350. The customer wired the money, which was divided up amongst the conspirators. Charges against other defendants are pending.

On Aug. 8, Tri State Brick Face Inc., a corporation owned, operated and controlled by Zygadlo and other family members, located in Monroe, was ordered to pay $40,000 in restitution. The corporation reportedly admitted, through its President, Miroslaw Zygadlo, 54, of Monroe, that it received three stolen, re-tagged vehicles – all Ford F-350 pickup trucks – and used them as part of its business.