Arizona Police Make Huge Car Theft Ring Bust

The Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force struck a big blow today, busting a car theft ring in Phoenix and recovering a lot of rides. As law enforcement from multiple agencies coordinated to execute Operation Escalading Switch, serving search warrants at seven different locations spread around the metro Phoenix area simultaneously.

Guess which generation is the most likely to be victimized by car theft.

As a result, the June 17 bust led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of 29 stolen vehicles with a combined value of almost $2.5 million. The Arizona Department of Public Safety, which took part in the operation, says this was a “sophisticated criminal vehicle theft ring.”

Pictures of some of the stolen cars recovered in the operation are pretty impressive. Among them is a nice C8 Corvette Stingray, multiple Mercedes G-Wagons, Aston Martin DBX, Rolls-Royce Ghost, multiple Cadillac Escalades, GMC Yukon Denali, Chevy Suburban, at least two Jeep Wranglers, BMW X7, and oddly enough a Honda CR-V.

Investigators were able to figure out the theft ring was stealing mostly luxury vehicles, swapping the VINs, then putting the rides on peer-to-peer car rental service Turo so they could start making money without risking selling the hot cars.

Police rolled into at least one neighborhood with a BearCat and an unmarked white Chevy Silverado to bust one of the suspects. From images of the aftermath of the bust, it looks like that suspect was driving the Aston Martin DBX at the time.

Each one of the arrested suspects is facing multiple felony charges. They all three reportedly live in Glendale.

“This operation is a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement and the dedication of our Vehicle Theft Task Force,” said Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the AZDPS. “We are committed to protecting Arizona’s communities, and this takedown sends a strong message to those engaged in organized crime.”

Image via Arizona Department of Public Safety/Facebook