CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio — A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted eight people accused of running a violent car theft ring in and around Greater Cleveland and Akron, County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced Tuesday.
According to officials, those listed in the indictment are accused of stealing 33 vehicles and 52 credit cards as well as burglarizing in at least 25 different municipalities in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Summit counties. Some of the alleged crimes took an even more violent turn, with three of the suspects accused of taking part in the murder of a 17-year-old boy.
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The individuals indicted are as follows:
- TyJier Riley, age 20
- Dadren Carter, age 19
- Jaylon Hicks, age 19
- Jordan Hicks, age 19
- Deon Young, age 21
- Josh Ziegler, age 20
- Joshua Taylor, age 19
- Michal Gadomski, age 19
"The individuals indicted today have wreaked havoc and inflicted violence across Northeast Ohio," O'Malley said in a statement. "Crime does not stop at any one border and this indictment is a direct result of the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of multiple different law enforcement agencies. I am proud of the work of our law enforcement partners."
The accused face various charges in the sprawling 224-count indictment, including
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
- Aggravated murder
- Murder
- Felonious assault
- Discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premises
- Attempted murder
- Burglary
- Receiving stolen property
- Arson
- Grand theft
- Aggravated theft
- Theft
- Breaking and entering
- Failure to comply
- Misuse of credit cards
'Car Creepers'
Between April 1, 2022 and July 25, 2023, the eight suspects allegedly operated as a crime ring called the "Car Creepers." As members of the group, they would drive into various cities looking for vehicles that were left unlocked with keys usually inside.
In addition to stealing cars, the suspects are also accused of swiping credit cards of victims that were inside and using them later for their own benefit.
Violent crimes
Prosecutors detailed a number of alleged acts of violence committed by the group. The most notable of which occurred this past July 2, when police say Jordan and Jaylon Hicks as well as Dadren Carter shot three teens near St. Clair and Holmes Avenues in Cleveland. Tireese Martin-Croom, 17, died from his injuries at the scene.
Often, authorities say the individuals used the stolen vehicles in drive-by shootings. Other alleged crimes include:
- March 8, 2023: Riley, Carter, Young, and Ziegler are accused of shooting at a 16-year-old girl and her 1-year-old daughter while driving a stolen vehicle in South Euclid.
- June 1, 2023: Jordan Hicks allegedly fired multiple gunshots at a Cleveland Heights home.
- July 8, 2023: Authorities say Riley and Carter drove a stolen vehicle to Beachwood where they carjacked two people at gunpoint and took the second car.
Per O'Malley, various criminal investigations remain ongoing. The following municipalities were impacted:
- Avon
- Avon Lake
- Bay Village
- Beachwood
- Bedford
- Bedford Heights
- Chester Township
- Cleveland
- Cleveland Heights
- Garfield Heights
- Glenwillow
- Highland Heights
- Lyndhurst
- Macedonia
- Maple Heights
- Mayfield Heights
- Orange Village
- Pepper Pike
- Richmond Heights
- Rocky River
- Sagamore Hills
- Solon
- South Euclid
- Twinsburg
- University Heights
- Westlake
- Willoughby
- Strongsville
Read the full indictment below:
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