Eight Charged in Multi-Million Dollar Luxury Car Theft Scheme
Bronx, NY – Eight men from New York City face charges in connection with a multi-million dollar auto theft ring that trafficked stolen luxury vehicles to West Africa, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office revealed on Tuesday. This announcement marks a significant development in "Operation High Rollers," a nine-month investigation led by authorities aiming to dismantle the organized crime network.
The operation yielded a staggering 72 stolen cars, valued at $6.6 million, including a $475,000 Rolls Royce. These vehicles were reportedly taken from locations in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut before being stored in a Bronx parking garage, which served as a makeshift "showroom" for buyers who paid in cash.
Five of the indicted individuals have previously faced charges in New Jersey, where several luxury cars were discovered in shipping containers destined for Gambia and Ghana. In total, eleven individuals, including a juvenile, were charged last week in New Jersey as part of the same investigation. Authorities have stated that the owner of the garage was unaware the vehicles were stolen.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin highlighted that the crime took an alarming turn when suspects began breaking into homes to steal key fobs, adding complexity and risk to the auto theft problem. "Auto theft is certainly not unique to New Jersey," he noted, citing the ease of access to neighboring states and international ports.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch underscored the severity of these crimes, emphasizing they contribute to a multimillion-dollar black market intertwined with violence and instability. Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark reiterated a commitment to combating auto crime, revealing that two of the eight suspects remain at large.
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