By John 
A yearlong vehicle theft scheme that relied more on persuasion than force has raised new questions about how exposed car dealerships remain, even as vehicle security grows more sophisticated.
Police say a man and woman spent more than a year exploiting dealership routines across Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey, stealing or attempting to steal high-value vehicles worth an estimated $2.4 million. The operation avoided smashed windows, forced ignitions, or triggered alarms. Instead, investigators say the suspects relied on test drives, distraction, and modern key technology to quietly remove vehicles days after first visiting showrooms.
The investigation, led by the Old Saybrook Police Department, has been linked to at least 20 vehicles. One suspect is now in custody, while the second remains at large, highlighting the difficulty of dismantling crimes built on social engineering rather than visible damage.
According to investigators, the pair posed as legitimate buyers and targeted expensive trucks and pickups, including heavy-duty models that can exceed $80,000 in value. During dealership visits, police believe the male suspect either swapped original key fobs with decoys or cloned keys through onboard diagnostic ports, a process that can take less than a minute using specialized equipment.
Authorities say the woman played a deliberate role in diverting attention, allowing access to the vehicle’s electronics without raising suspicion. Once the key was copied or exchanged, the pair would leave without incident. The vehicle would then be taken later, sometimes the following day, using the cloned fob.
Because the original keys often remained at the dealership and no physical damage was visible, the thefts frequently went unnoticed until inventory reviews. By then, vehicles had often crossed state lines, complicating recovery efforts.
Police began connecting the cases in early February 2025 after two high-value pickup trucks were reported stolen from a Connecticut dealership. Surveillance footage showed the suspects had visited earlier as potential buyers. As reports accumulated, investigators identified a consistent pattern stretching back to March 2024.
Authorities believe at least seven vehicles worth more than $662,000 were stolen in Connecticut alone, with similar cases later identified in New Jersey and New York. Cellphone location data allegedly placed the suspects near multiple dealerships at critical times.
Tiffine Kyte, 37, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been arrested and faces multiple counts related to motor vehicle larceny and conspiracy. She was extradited to Connecticut in January 2026 and released after posting bond. Her alleged accomplice, known to introduce himself as Dexter and sometimes seen wearing a UPS uniform, has not been apprehended.
Police say the case exposes an uncomfortable reality for dealerships: as physical security improves, deception and digital access may now pose the greater threat.
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