New York law enforcement has charged 20 individuals in connection with a major car theft ring that operated across New York City and its suburbs. The group is accused of stealing vehicles worth over $4.6 million, often reselling them at significantly lower prices through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The stolen cars included popular makes and models such as Hondas, Dodge Hellcats, BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Land Rovers. Many of these vehicles were taken from driveways, sometimes with the keys left inside. The indictments follow a three-year investigation called Operation Hellcat, led by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, along with the New York City Police Department and New York State Police.
According to the district attorney’s office, the defendants face charges related to the theft and possession of 126 cars. Notably, undercover officers purchased 44 of these vehicles during the investigation. The operation utilized court-approved wiretaps and resulted in the seizure of three firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle.
The breakdown of the stolen vehicles is notable: 38 Acuras, 24 Hondas, 23 BMWs, 20 Dodges, and three Jeeps. The thefts occurred across various locations, with 52 cars stolen in Queens, 25 in Brooklyn, and others in Nassau County, the Bronx, Westchester County, Staten Island, Suffolk County, Manhattan, New Jersey, and even Massachusetts.
Sixteen of the accused were arrested recently in New York and Tennessee, marking a significant step in the ongoing effort to combat car theft in the region. This case highlights the persistent issue of vehicle theft and the methods used by criminals to profit from stolen goods.