Arizona suspects arrested after allegedly stealing $1.4M in vehicles, taking them to Mexico
PHOENIX - The Arizona Dept. of Public Safety says four people involved in car thefts across the Phoenix area have been arrested.
The department held a press conference on Monday, Dec. 2 to address the arrests and how they came about.
The speakers at the press conference were Lieutenant Colonel Ken Hunter, Deputy Director at Arizona DPS, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Captain Erik Axlund, Vehicle Theft Task Force Commander.
The suspects were identified as Jorge Aguilar, Andrew Reyes, Luis Rodriguez and Douglas Zalaya.
"They are accused of operating an elaborate stolen vehicle ring in Maricopa County. This ring involves stealing vehicles, falsifying VIN numbers and license plates, and transporting stolen vehicles across the border into Mexico," Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.
She says between Sept. 23 and Nov. 1 of this year, the four suspects racked up allegations of 12 counts of theft of means of transportation, a count of trafficking stolen property, a count of fraudulent schemes and artifices, two counts of conducting a chop shop, three counts of forgery, and three counts of criminal impersonation.
Reyes is also accused of misconduct involving weapons.
‘A coordinated effort’
"This was a coordinated effort of individuals using sophisticated means to steal high-end vehicles throughout the state of Arizona. These vehicles were transported into Mexico to continue the efforts and further goals of transnational criminal organizations," said Lieutenant Colonel Ken Hunter, Deputy Director at Arizona DPS.
More than a million dollars worth of cars have allegedly been stolen.
"In this case, a total of 22 high-end vehicles were recovered, with an estimated worth of $1.4 million," Lt. Hunter said.
He says the car thefts have been tied to "violent and organized crime." For example, he mentioned the truck theft in Waddell by several armed people who were seen stealing a truck from the driveway of a home.
How to keep from falling victim
"They don't look like your traditional thief with a slim jim or breaking a window. It can be a very nicely dressed man or woman just walking to your car with a clone key in broad daylight and there would be nothing suspicious," said Matt Allen of Virginia Auto Service.
The group allegedly used a key cloning device in order to steal where owners thought they were safest – their homes.
"You can be in your apartment or condo, for example and somebody could have a strong enough device like this and a strong enough antenna can receive that," Allen explained.
DPS says faraday bags can be used to stop criminals from accessing your key fob signal. A simple search on Amazon shows numerous options for faraday bags.
Some vendors sell pouches and bags, while others offer an enclosed box to block your key's signal.
"I wouldn't keep your key fob in a bowl by your front door," said DPS Capt. Erik Axlund. "I'd keep it inside your house further in because of how far the signal can go."
Allen adds, "You could go old school and go back to the club in the 80s and 90s. Stuff like that to not be a target, I think is the best way."