Four people have been arrested in Arizona in connection with an elaborate car theft ring that allegedly stole about $1.4 million worth of luxury cars and funneled them across the border into Mexico. According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the announcement was made on Dec. 2 at a press conference attended by Lt. Col. Ken Hunter, DPS deputy chief, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, and Capt. Eric Axlund, who heads the vehicle theft task force. It was held at a press conference. as reported by FOX10 Phoenix.

The suspects, identified by DPS as Jorge Aguilar, Andrew Reyes, Luis Rodriguez, and Douglas Zalaya, are accused of high-level vehicle theft, vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate falsification within Maricopa County. He is accused of coordinating the operation. The act of trafficking in stolen goods south of the border. In a statement obtained by FOX10 PhoenixMaricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell detailed the charges, which include 12 counts of theft of transportation, various counts of trafficking in stolen property and forgery.

At the press conference, Hunter cited a specific incident in which a truck was taken from a Waddell residence by an armed group, and emphasized the link between these thefts and “violent and organized crime.” This organized crime network is said to extend across state lines and serve a wider range of transnational criminal organizations as its operations extend into Mexico. A total of 22 luxury cars were recovered in this case. honk news.

DPS Capt. Axland also offered practical advice for vehicle owners looking to protect their property. “I wouldn’t leave your keychain in a bowl by the front door,” said DPS Capt. Eric Aksland. As stated, “Considering the distance that the signal can reach, I would place it further inside the house.” FOX10 Phoenix. Allen also mentioned the possibility of returning to physical anti-theft devices like clubs as a nod to the security measures of the past few decades.