NYC, Long Island, NJ Police Indict 20 in $4.6M Auto Theft Ring

Authorities announced the takedown of a sophisticated auto theft ring, known as Operation Hellcat, which targeted vehicles across New York City's five boroughs, Long Island, and parts of New Jersey. Twenty people were indicted for stealing 126 vehicles, including Hondas, Dodges, BMWs, and luxury cars, with stolen cars valued at over $4.6 million. The ring operated with a clear hierarchy, involving teams that stole cars, brokers who sold them, and dealers who handled the black-market sales, often using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram for transactions. The thieves used advanced methods such as programming new key fobs via onboard diagnostics, disabling navigation systems, removing tracking devices, and altering vehicle identification numbers or license plates to evade detection. Law enforcement agencies, including the New York State Police, NYPD, and Homeland Security, executed coordinated raids involving SWAT teams, drones, and robotic dogs, resulting in multiple arrests and vehicle seizures. Fourteen defendants face enterprise corruption charges, potentially leading to up to 25 years in prison, and the investigation is ongoing.