The Galveston County Auto Crimes Task Force has apprehended six individuals, one of whom is a juvenile, for their involvement in an auto theft ring.
Five individuals, Fabian Rodriguez (29), Jose Martinez (30), Alejandro Reyes (24), Juan Rodriguez (31), and Michael Villegas (26), have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Additionally, a 16-year-old juvenile, who remains unidentified, was also involved in the incident, according to the sheriff’s office.
Lt. Hal Barrow, the commander of the auto crimes task force, has been investigating the thefts since June 2023.
There has been a significant surge in car thefts in Galveston, Harris, and Brazoria counties, with over 100 vehicles stolen, amounting to a staggering $4.6 million. According to law enforcement officials, the targeted vehicles are specifically Chevy and GMC trucks manufactured in 2020 or later.
According to Barrow, they utilize a computer to access the OBD reader on the vehicles and start them using this method.
According to him, the OBD reader is the port utilized for vehicle diagnostics.
Investigators suspect that a cartel is responsible for training the members of the theft ring and facilitating the smuggling of some stolen cars across the border.
Out of the 12 vehicles that were stolen from Galveston County, eight of them have been successfully recovered. Additionally, a number of cars that were stolen from other counties have also been found.
Several vehicles are available for sale online.
According to Barrow, stolen vehicles are often rebadged and given new VIN numbers on the door post to hide their true identity. These vehicles are then listed for sale on popular online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and other similar websites. The allure of a good deal attracts unsuspecting buyers, who unknowingly purchase stolen vehicles.
According to Barrow, protecting your vehicle from thieves can be achieved by installing a security system or using a steering wheel lock.
The arrested men are currently being held on bonds amounting to $200,000. Authorities suspect that there may be additional individuals involved in the theft ring.
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