Story by Ethan
On November 7th, 2025, the arrests of Tyree Payton (25), Israel Ortiz (23), Sakie Smith (30), and Jeremiah Lugo (19), were announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. Tyree Payton, Israel Ortiz, Sakie Smith, and Jeremiah Lugo were charged with Home Invasion, Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Credit Card, and Fradulent Use of a Credit Card. The arrest and charges against Tyree Payton, Israel Ortiz, Sakie Smith, and Jeremiah Lugo were a result of an investigation handled by the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office, Medford, Moorestown,Mount Laurel, Cinnaminson, Berlin, Delanco, Delran, Gloucester Township, Pine Hill, Clementon, Harrison, Mantua, Ventnor City, Haddon Township, and Washington Township Police Departments.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, there are three incidents that were responsible for the charges against the defendants. On April 20th, 2025, a 2019 Mercedes Benz s63 was reported as stolen from Ventnor City, New Jersey. The stolen vehicle was parked at around 11:00 a.m. earlier that day, and the victim had left it unlocked and with the keys inside. Approximately 12 hours later at 11:00 p.m. the victim returned to where he parked and found his car to be missing. Law enforcement was able to locate and recover the vehicle at the Philadelphia International Airport, subsequently charging Tyree Payton, Israel Ortiz, and Jeremiah Lugo. On April 23rd, 2025, a white 2019 Alfa Romeo was reported missing from a residence in Medford, New Jersey. Shortly after the missing report, credit cards that were left in the vehicle when it was stolen were being used at several locations in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Subsequently Tyree Payton and Israel Ortiz were charged in relation to the stolen vehicle and credit cards. On April 27th, 2025, a 2024 BMW X4 was reported as stolen from the garage of a residence in Moorestown, New Jersey. The victim reported catching the assailants outside before they initially fled, however they returned at a later time and stole the vehicle from the garage. It’s alleged that when the assailants returned, Tyree Payton was identified to be in possession of a firearm while the group stole the vehicle.
The Attorney General’s Office stated that the charges against Tyree Payton, Israel Ortiz, Sakie Smith, and Jeremiah Lugo are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
