DUFFM4N
11-16-2007, 04:17 PM
Taken from http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071116-1232-bn16autos.html
SAN DIEGO – A yearlong undercover operation led to the largest bust ever of an auto theft ring in the county, with 73 people facing criminal charges and 160 vehicles valued at $1.9 million being recovered, officials announced Friday.
Dubbed “Operation Southside Blitz,” the operation also resulted in the recovery of several weapons, including assault rifles and handguns, as well as narcotics, said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
“This operation was unprecedented,” Dumanis said.
A grand jury handed down the indictments after a two-week hearing involving more that 120 witnesses, Dumanis said. On Thursday, several suspects were arrested in a county-wide sweep.
If convicted, they may be sentenced to anywhere from three years in prison to 153 years to life in prison, Dumanis said.
Those indicted include men and women, as well as one juvenile. Some have one and two felony convictions that could count as strikes against them in sentencing.
Last fall, undercover detectives opened a storefront that appeared to be a business that dealt in stolen car and motorcycle parts in Chula Vista, said California Highway Patrol Capt. Lisa Wrobel, who commanded the RATT team.
“The storefront was so successful that we had crooks lined up waiting to sell us vehicles, almost like a drive-through,” she said.
Used cars were sold for as little as $200 and new vehicles were sold for $1,000, Wrobel said. One brand-new vehicle valued at more that $50,000 was sold to undercover detectives for just $2,000. Wrobel said.
The Regional Auto Theft Task Force, also known as RATT, headed up the operation and was assisted by police departments from all the county as well as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and others.
Also participating in the investigation were officials with the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
“This bust puts thieves on notice in San Diego County,” Dumanis said. “We will go undercover to investigate you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you.”
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/071116car_ring1.jpg
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/071116car_ring.jpg
SAN DIEGO – A yearlong undercover operation led to the largest bust ever of an auto theft ring in the county, with 73 people facing criminal charges and 160 vehicles valued at $1.9 million being recovered, officials announced Friday.
Dubbed “Operation Southside Blitz,” the operation also resulted in the recovery of several weapons, including assault rifles and handguns, as well as narcotics, said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
“This operation was unprecedented,” Dumanis said.
A grand jury handed down the indictments after a two-week hearing involving more that 120 witnesses, Dumanis said. On Thursday, several suspects were arrested in a county-wide sweep.
If convicted, they may be sentenced to anywhere from three years in prison to 153 years to life in prison, Dumanis said.
Those indicted include men and women, as well as one juvenile. Some have one and two felony convictions that could count as strikes against them in sentencing.
Last fall, undercover detectives opened a storefront that appeared to be a business that dealt in stolen car and motorcycle parts in Chula Vista, said California Highway Patrol Capt. Lisa Wrobel, who commanded the RATT team.
“The storefront was so successful that we had crooks lined up waiting to sell us vehicles, almost like a drive-through,” she said.
Used cars were sold for as little as $200 and new vehicles were sold for $1,000, Wrobel said. One brand-new vehicle valued at more that $50,000 was sold to undercover detectives for just $2,000. Wrobel said.
The Regional Auto Theft Task Force, also known as RATT, headed up the operation and was assisted by police departments from all the county as well as agents with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and others.
Also participating in the investigation were officials with the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
“This bust puts thieves on notice in San Diego County,” Dumanis said. “We will go undercover to investigate you, we will arrest you and we will prosecute you.”
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/071116car_ring1.jpg
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/images/071116car_ring.jpg