A car theft syndicate with links to Ghana has been uncovered by U.S. authorities, raising concerns about Ghana as a destination market for stolen vehicles.
A 15-count indictment unsealed in a U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia has charged six individuals over their alleged role in the car theft syndicate. Prosecutors say the group stole at least 20 vehicles across the Washington metropolitan area and Pennsylvania before shipping them to buyers in the United States and Ghana.
Investigators believe the car theft syndicate may be part of a wider network. Law enforcement agencies say the group could be connected to the theft of more than 100 vehicles in Washington, D.C., and over 30 others in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Authorities executed a search warrant at an automobile storage facility in Decatur, Georgia, believed to be a key link in the car theft syndicate’s supply chain.
Prosecutors say the car theft syndicate used high-tech methods to target newer models, including Honda Civics, CRVs, and Acura TLXs and RDXs. Electronic devices were allegedly used to reprogram vehicles to accept blank key fobs, bypassing built-in security systems.
The stolen vehicles were moved to storage locations, including a parking garage in Southeast Washington, D.C., where the car theft syndicate disguised them by swapping license plates and tampering with vehicle identification numbers. Investigators say GPS and Bluetooth systems were disabled before the vehicles were transported for sale, including shipments destined for Ghana.
Those charged include Jacob Hernandez, Dustin Wetzel, James Young, Khobe David, and Chance Clark. A sixth suspect linked to the car theft syndicate remains at large.
All six face conspiracy charges to possess, transport, and sell stolen motor vehicles.
