GRAPEVINE, TX – Authorities have dismantled one of the largest auto theft rings ever uncovered, leading to the arrest of seven individuals involved in a multi-million-dollar international operation. The investigation, which began last November, culminated in the recovery of hundreds of stolen vehicles.
The operation came to light when a crime analyst, while reviewing security footage of a car theft, recognized a vehicle linked to previous thefts. This discovery set off a chain of events that allowed investigators to identify the suspects and their vehicles, leading to a significant breakthrough in the case.
Police recovered substantial evidence from a single theft that connected the group to the theft of vehicles worth between $5 million and $10 million within Grapevine alone. Authorities confirmed that at least 200 vehicles were linked to this group, with dozens more traced back to the suspects using advanced tracking technology and license plate readers.
The stolen vehicles, including high-end models such as Camaros, Challengers, Chargers, and Corvettes, were often resold to unsuspecting buyers or shipped to Mexico and other states. One of the suspects, Jose Perez, even posted videos of the stolen vehicles on social media, flaunting his illicit activities.
During a SWAT raid on Perez’s home, police recovered high-tech devices capable of reprogramming key fobs of stolen vehicles. Although there were rumors of a tiger being kept on the premises, no such animal was found. However, the evidence gathered was substantial enough to potentially elevate the case to the federal level.
Further raids uncovered more evidence against the suspects, who are believed to be responsible for at least 40 auto thefts since the beginning of the year. The arrests have already had a significant impact, with Grapevine reporting zero auto thefts in the month following the arrests.
Some members of the group had become increasingly violent, with active warrants for aggravated robbery at the time of their arrest. The dismantling of this ring marks a significant victory for law enforcement and a step towards reducing auto theft in the region.