Police in Minneapolis arrested three teenagers suspected of being involved in a recent spree of over 100 car break-ins, seizing two stolen vehicles and linking the suspects to multiple incidents across the city, amid ongoing concerns about vehicle thefts and property damage.
The Portland Police Bureau, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, conducted a stolen vehicle operation resulting in multiple arrests, recovery of stolen vehicles, and the seizure of an illegally possessed firearm. The operation led to the recovery of 11 stolen vehicles, 10 arrests, and the issuance of 10 active warrants. One suspect was found in illegal possession of a loaded handgun, while another was involved in a vehicle pursuit and subsequently arrested on multiple charges. Despite a 25% reduction in reported stolen vehicles compared to the previous year, the PPB plans to continue these operations in the future.
A juvenile boy in Charlotte allegedly participated in breaking into nearly 200 cars over a span of six days. On the sixth day, he turned himself in to the police station with his mother. The police have charged him with multiple offenses, including breaking into a motor vehicle and larceny. They are also searching for a 19-year-old accomplice who fled from officers in one of the stolen vehicles. The boy's criminal history and known association with law enforcement have been noted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
The Portland Police Bureau's retail theft mission in December resulted in 24 arrests, the recovery of over $3,500 worth of stolen items, and the seizure of 2 stolen vehicles. The police expressed gratitude for the community support received during the operation.
An FBI agent was carjacked at gunpoint in Washington, D.C., as the city experiences a significant increase in stolen vehicles. Two armed individuals conducted the carjacking, and the vehicle was recovered within 30 minutes. The FBI and the Metropolitan Police Department's Carjacking Task Force are investigating the incident. This comes as carjackings in the nation's capital have risen by 107% compared to the previous year, with 911 incidents reported in 2023 so far, 77% of which involved firearms. In a separate incident, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar was carjacked at gunpoint near the Capitol Building last month but was unharmed.
Monroe County in New York is experiencing a significant increase in car thefts, with a 240% rise compared to the 13-year average. The stolen vehicle task force, formed to address the issue, has identified that the majority of alleged offenders are between the ages of 14 and 16. To combat the problem, law enforcement is intentionally undercharging the young offenders to provide immediate intervention and keep them off the streets. The task force has recovered 21 stolen cars and made 31 arrests since its inception, with no repeat offenders reported.
Nine armed robberies occurred on the Northwest Side of Chicago, with the suspects driving stolen vehicles and targeting victims on foot or in their own vehicles. The male suspects, wearing black clothing and ski masks, demanded the victims' property before fleeing the scene. The robberies took place in various neighborhoods, resulting in multiple injuries. Chicago police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Reading Police Department is seeking public assistance in their investigation of three incidents involving stolen motor vehicles and a series of vehicle break-ins overnight. Stolen vehicles were recovered and returned to their owners, but one vehicle remains missing. Residents are urged to report any car break-ins and provide video surveillance or information to aid in the investigation.
A Vermont man, Michael Gonzalez, has been sentenced to four years in prison for exploiting a loophole in Tesla's payment system to obtain five high-end Tesla cars worth $560,000 for free. He sold three of the vehicles to unsuspecting buyers for $231,900 and attempted to set one on fire to file an insurance claim. Gonzalez pleaded guilty to possessing and disposing of stolen vehicles and agreed to pay back Tesla $493,000. He used bank details with insufficient funds to trick Tesla into delivering the cars before the transactions were completed.
Two individuals, including Daniel McNett of Vancouver, Washington, have been arrested in connection with a car theft ring operating in the Portland-metro area. McNett, who claimed to have stolen over 150 cars in recent years, was apprehended while driving a stolen Tesla with the GPS disabled, a method commonly used by the thieves. The police have observed a decrease in stolen vehicle reports compared to 2022, but the total number of car thefts in Portland this year has surpassed previous years. Law enforcement agencies are collaborating to combat organized auto theft crimes, and additional charges in organized crime rings are expected in the near future.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has released its annual list of the most frequently stolen vehicles in the United States in 2022. Chevrolet and Ford pick-up trucks topped the list for the second consecutive year, accounting for approximately 25% of all stolen vehicles. The top 10 most stolen vehicles in the US include Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size), Ford Pickup (Full Size), Honda Civic, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Optima, Toyota Camry, GMC Pickup (Full Size), and Honda CR-V. However, the most commonly stolen vehicles vary by state due to differing consumer preferences. The NICB recommends car owners take multiple security measures, such as locking doors, installing alarms, immobilizing devices, and tracking devices, to protect their vehicles.
The Monroe County Sheriff's Office and its Stolen Vehicle Task Force had another successful night, recovering two stolen cars and arresting three juveniles. The task force was alerted to a group of young teenagers driving recklessly near Reynolds Street and Frost Avenue in Rochester. They identified several stolen vehicles and apprehended the suspects without incident after a four-mile chase. The task force has recovered 15 stolen vehicles in the past two months, but due to limited manpower, it cannot operate daily.
Divers in Florida are searching a lake after 32 vehicles were reportedly found submerged. The discovery was made by volunteers hoping to solve cold cases. The vehicles are believed to have been abandoned, stolen, or used for joyrides before being dumped in the lake. Authorities are considering the possibility of fraud or other factors like homicide, but they do not believe any cold cases are tied to the vehicles.
A 13-year-old girl was shot during a gunfight that took place at Yale New Haven Hospital. Police found evidence of the gunfight at the hospital entrance and identified two stolen vehicles involved in the incident. The girl's injuries were non-life threatening, and the investigation is ongoing.
The Lincoln Police Department is searching for a group of teenage boys involved in a crime spree in Lincoln, Nebraska. The boys are accused of assaulting and robbing a man, attempting to rob a woman, and stealing two vehicles. The police have recovered one of the stolen vehicles and are seeking information from the public to aid in their ongoing investigations.