NJ Pharmacy-Burglary Ring Extended To Basking Ridge Store: Feds

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Two people face federal charges after burglarizing a Basking Ridge pharmacy in November, authorities announced this week. The pair were among 10 Jersey City charged for their roles in a conspiracy that victimized at least 40 North Jersey pharmacies, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig.

Mohummad Simmons, Rico Phang and two unidentified people forcibly entered a pharmacy in Basking Ridge during the early-morning hours of Nov. 11, according to the complaint. They took several drugs during the burglary, including promethazine and codeine, authorities said.

They also burglarized a pharmacy in Short Hills and tried to enter a Madison pharmacy that same morning, according to the filing. The complaint does not identify the pharmacies.

The pharmacy burglaries occurred from Oct. 11 through Dec. 22, according to court filings. The conspiracy affected pharmacies in Basking Ridge, Secaucus, North Bergen, Linden, Guttenberg, Kenilworth, Madison, Short Hills, Iselin, Jersey City, West New York, North Arlington and Lyndhurst, authorities said.

The following were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances: Simmons, Phang, Tamir Brown, Deon Davis, Michael Simeus, David Booker, Darrel Hicks, Daquan Hart, Jamiel French and Tyriq Rembert. If convicted, the charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“The success of this investigation was the result of teamwork, the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies, and good, old-fashioned police work,” said Special Agent Susan A. Gibson.

Bernards Township police contributed to the investigation.

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