Police: Camden, NJ, Man Used Key Fob Scanner to Steal $100,000 Hellcat

• A $100,000 Dodge Charger Hellcat was stolen in broad daylight from a Washington Township driveway
• Police say the thieves used an electronic key scanner to take the car within seconds
• A Camden man has been charged in the case

Washington Township Car Theft Shocked Community

A man from Camden has been charged with his alleged role in the theft of an expensive muscle car in Gloucester County earlier this year.

The Washington Township Police Department says on the morning of May 9th, a 2023 Dodge Charger Hellcat valued at over $100,000 was stolen in broad daylight from the Surrey Lake Development.

Surveillance footage showed three masked suspects breaking the rear driver's side window before fleeing with the vehicle.

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Police: Thieves Used Electronic Key Programming Device

According to the department, detectives determined the thieves used a sophisticated electronic key programming scanner device to bypass security systems and to program new key fobs on the spot. One suspect is seen carrying a red scanner box into the car.

This particular story made headlines across the region when the car's owner appeared on several TV stations and was visibly upset over the theft, telling WPVI-TV, "For my 50th birthday, I decided I was gonna go out...and buy myself the car I've always loved."

On that particular morning, the vehicle, which was almost always kept in a garage, was parked in her driveway.

It disappeared in a matter of seconds, even surprising the township's police chief, who said, "I've never seen a car stolen like that in broad daylight hours."

Camden Man Charged After Investigation

Washington Township police officers collaborated with the New Jersey State Police Auto Theft Task Force, recovering location data and photographs from the suspect's phone that allegedly placed him on Equitation Way at the exact time of the theft, along with images of the stolen Charger.

As a result, 21-year-old Carlos Villarini of Camden was arrested and charged with theft of a motor vehicle. He is being held in the Camden County Jail.

The police did not indicate whether the vehicle had been recovered.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.