A 21-year-old Camden man faces charges in connection with the theft of a 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat worth more than $100,000, according to Washington Township police. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residential neighborhood on May 9.
A Brazen Daytime Theft
Authorities say the vehicle disappeared from Surrey Lake during daylight hours. Surveillance footage reportedly shows three masked individuals breaking a window before driving away with the vehicle. Investigators say the suspects used a device capable of cloning key fob signals, allowing them to bypass the vehicle’s security system.
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The Theft Took Under a Minute
Footage reportedly shows one of the suspects holding a scanning device while bypassing the vehicle’s security system, with the entire theft taking place in under a minute.
A Milestone Purchase Lost
The vehicle’s owner had purchased the Hellcat to mark her 50th birthday, describing it as her “dream ride.” She typically kept the car in her garage but had left it outside on the day of the theft.
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Police Response
“This was one of the most brazen thefts I’ve seen,” said Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik, noting that the theft occurred “in broad daylight hours, right in a residential neighborhood.”
Investigation and Arrest
Working with state troopers, investigators reviewed cell phone records and photographs that allegedly connected Carlos Villarini to the theft, including images allegedly showing the stolen vehicle. Villarini is currently being held in Camden County jail and faces felony auto theft charges.
Vehicle Status Unknown
Police have not confirmed whether the stolen Hellcat has been recovered. As with all pending criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.