Delivery person’s car stolen; burglars demand payment for vehicle’s return

HOBOKEN — Two Jersey City residents were arrested on Saturday Feb. 25 and charged with conspiracy to commit extortion after allegedly stealing a car in Hoboken and charging money to have it returned.
According to a media release from the Hoboken Police Department, officers were dispatched to the area of 13th and Washington Streets on the report of a stolen car.
While making a food delivery at a nearby address, the victim explained the car was left unattended with keys in the ignition.
The victim returned to find his vehicle gone with the victim’s cellphone inside.
The release said a call was placed and an unknown person answered the phone, allegedly demanding a cash payment for the return of the vehicle to the victim.
Officers arranged for the defendants to deliver the vehicle back to Hoboken, and delivery of the vehicle was later made in the area of 8th and Adams Streets. The alleged perpetrators were found in the area and placed under arrest.
Thirty-year-old Fancisco Torres was charged with receiving stolen property, bail jumping, and conspiracy to commit extortion, and Barbara LaLuz, age 29, was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit extortion, and two counts of bail jumping.
Both were remanded to the Hudson County Correctional Facility