Paterson Police Recovered $100,000 in Stolen Car Parts
Authorities raided a local auto wrecker and arrested the business operator following a wide-reaching theft investigation.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Auto Parts
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Police seized over $100,000 worth of stolen components during a raid at Fiero Lafayette Auto Wreckers on Lafayette Street. The operation resulted in the arrest of 49-year-old operator Wilson Castro following a multi-agency investigation into car thefts across northern New Jersey.
Why it matters
The recovery of high-value components like collision radar sensors and airbags highlights the significant financial impact of vehicle-related crime on local household repair costs. Replacement costs for a single airbag can reach $1,500, making these parts frequent targets for theft.
Police recovered 54 collision radar sensors along with various vehicle body parts and engines during the October 13, 2026, raid. Replacement for just one airbag costs between $1,000 and $1,500, a steep expense for any household managing auto repairs.
The players
Wilson Castro
The 49-year-old operator of Fiero Lafayette Auto Wreckers who was arrested and charged with maintaining a facility for stolen vehicle parts.
Passaic County Sheriff's Office
The law enforcement agency coordinating the multi-jurisdictional investigation into northern New Jersey auto theft rings.
National Insurance Crime Bureau
A non-profit organization that partners with law enforcement to identify, detect, and prosecute vehicle theft and insurance fraud.
The details
The raid at Fiero Lafayette Auto Wreckers involved multiple agencies, including the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and Homeland Security Investigations. Detectives executed a search warrant after identifying patterns in local vehicle burglaries, specifically those previously linked to 39 incidents investigated by Clifton police. The recovered inventory included high-demand items such as SRS modules, dashboards, doors, and trunks.
Timeline
2023 saw 16,694 statewide auto thefts, followed by 14,755 in 2024.
The Paterson City Council renewed the business license on May 20, 2025.
Clifton police charged two men in connection with 39 vehicle burglaries in August 2026.
Police raided the facility and arrested Wilson Castro on October 13, 2026.
The Home Front
This recovery effort arrives amidst a persistent trend in New Jersey auto theft, which saw 14,755 vehicles reported stolen in 2024 alone. Increased enforcement against auto wrecking facilities seeks to disrupt the black market for expensive vehicle components.
If you have recently had your vehicle serviced at an independent shop or purchased aftermarket parts, verify the origin of those components with your mechanic. Keep copies of all repair invoices and part receipts to ensure your vehicle history remains documented for future insurance or warranty claims.
The takeaway
The dismantling of a facility holding $100,000 in stolen parts illustrates how quickly high-tech vehicle components move from theft to the secondary market. Always ensure you are using reputable repair shops that provide clear documentation for the source of replacement parts installed on your car.
Further reading
Learn more about securing your vehicle and managing repair costs in our Auto Parts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WMTR AM.
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