By Shawn Henry 
Arizona Department of Public Safety investigators have arrested five people following a lengthy investigation into an organized vehicle theft operation accused of stealing and dismantling high-end cars worth more than $750,000 in the Phoenix area.
Authorities said the investigation spanned several months and involved extensive surveillance, tracking stolen vehicles, identifying suspect networks, and gathering evidence to document how the operation functioned and moved stolen property. Investigators believe the group operated a chop shop and focused heavily on performance-oriented Mopar vehicles, including Hellcat, SRT, and TRX models.
According to DPS, suspects allegedly scouted apartment complexes to identify potential targets before returning at a later time to steal the vehicles. Investigators say electronic technology was used to access and start the cars without keys, allowing the suspects to quickly remove vehicles without drawing attention.
Once stolen, the vehicles were allegedly handled in several ways. Some were dismantled, with parts sold through online marketplaces and private sales. Others were sold intact on the black market at sharply reduced prices. In certain cases, investigators said vehicle identification numbers were altered, allowing suspects to use the vehicles before eventually reselling them.
Detectives have so far identified 16 stolen vehicles connected to the ring, with a combined value exceeding $750,000. Authorities said the investigation culminated in the execution of eight search warrants, which led to the five arrests.
The suspects face multiple felony charges, including fraud, theft of means of transportation, trafficking in stolen property, and possession of burglary tools. DPS has not released the identities of those arrested, though photos of some suspects were made public.
Officials say thefts involving high-end vehicles are increasing and urged vehicle owners to take additional precautions. DPS recommends keeping vehicle software updated to maintain security features, using steering wheel locks when parking outdoors, installing secondary ignition-locking systems, and equipping vehicles with tracking devices to improve recovery chances. Authorities also advised removing firearms from vehicles whenever they are left unattended.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue reviewing evidence connected to the theft ring.
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