Latest news with #autoTheft
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Stolen Rolls-Royce leads to bust of $1.5 million luxury car theft ring in North Texas, officials say
A multi-agency investigation has cracked a high-end auto theft ring after a stolen 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre led authorities to a cache of luxury vehicles worth nearly $1.5 million, along with firearms, body armor, and auto theft tools, authorities said Tuesday. Three suspects — Oscar Ivan Valdez, 28; Salvador Hernandez, 29; and Miguel Angel Hernandez, 27 — have been charged with theft of property over $300,000, a first-degree felony, according to the Plano Police Department. Suspects arrested, one remains in custody Valdez remains in the Collin County Jail on a $1 million bond related to the Plano charge. Authorities said Tuesday he also has 15 outstanding felony warrants from other agencies. Salvador and Miguel Hernandez were each held on $50,000 bond and have since bonded out, police said. Plano Police Department Stolen car sparks investigation Oscar Ivan Valdez, 28 Plano Police Department According to Plano police, the investigation kicked off on June 6, when a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre was stolen from a valet stand at a Plano restaurant. Surveillance footage later identified a 2025 Mercedes S63 AMG - already flagged by the Texas Department of Public Safety - as the suspect vehicle. Plano police auto theft detectives worked with the Texas DPS, Dallas Police Department, and the FBI to track the suspects. Search warrants yield results Salvador Hernandez, 29 Plano Police Department On June 11, law enforcement executed search warrants at two connected residences, uncovering a fleet of stolen luxury vehicles. Among those recovered were a Rolls-Royce Spectre, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Cadillac Escalade-V, Maserati Levante, and an Audi RS7, according to police. The total value of the vehicles is estimated at nearly $1.5 million. All have since been returned to their rightful owners, Plano police spokesperson David Minton said. More charges possible Miguel Angel Hernandez, 27 Plano Police Department In addition to the vehicles, authorities said officers seized firearms, body armor, and tools commonly used in auto theft. Minton said additional charges may be filed, potentially at the federal level, but no further details were immediately available. The investigation remains ongoing, authorities said.
CBS News
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Denver metro area fights auto thefts with high-tech solution, free prevention program
As auto theft continues to impact drivers across Colorado, one local police department is stepping up with a high-tech solution, and residents are taking notice. Doug Hall, a Ford F-150 owner, knows the risks all too well. "I drive a Ford F-150, which is on the list of top vehicles stolen in the Denver metro area," he said. "If we go out to dinner, obviously the vehicle is parked there, and it's subject to theft!" CBS So, when Hall saw a post on social media about "Westy Trax," a free auto theft prevention and recovery program from the Westminster Police Department, he didn't hesitate. "I was excited about signing up, and fortunately, I was able to be here today to get my tag in my vehicle." The program provides drivers with tracking devices like Apple AirTags to discreetly install in their vehicles, making it easier to recover stolen cars and deter theft altogether. "We are rolling out our Westy Trax auto theft prevention program. We're providing AirTags and tags to possible victims of auto theft," explained Westminster Police Detective Dustin LeDoux. CBS The program comes on the heels of promising results. Between 2023 and 2024, Westminster saw a 21% decrease in auto thefts and has achieved an 86% recovery rate so far in 2025. "We want to continue to help folks make the best decisions with the information available to help keep their cars safe," said Kale Gould with the Colorado Auto Theft Prevention Authority. Saturday morning's installation event filled up quickly, with all available slots claimed. But Westminster PD says this won't be the last opportunity. Another event is already in the works for later this year. So, how are residents feeling after installing their tracking devices? "Good. Much safer," said Hall Find more info on the program here.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- CTV News
Two suspects on an e-scooter wanted in North York auto theft
Two suspects are sought by Toronto police in connection with a June 4 auto theft.(Toronto Police Service) Toronto police are looking for two suspects who allegedly pulled up to a vehicle in North York on an e-scooter before stealing it. On the evening of June 4, police said two male suspects were in the area of St. Dennis Drive and Don Mills Road, south of Eglinton Avenue East, on an electric scooter. Police said they were observed entering a vehicle, described as a grey 2023 Honda CR-V, which they later stole. The vehicle was last seen travelling on Don Mills Road. Police released an image of the suspects on the e-scooter in a news release on Friday. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- CTV News
Two suspects on an e-scooter wanted in North York auto theft
Two suspects are sought by Toronto police in connection with a June 4 auto theft.(Toronto Police Service) Toronto police are looking for two suspects who allegedly pulled up to a vehicle in North York on an e-scooter before stealing it. On the evening of June 4, police said two male suspects were in the area of St. Dennis Drive and Don Mills Road, south of Eglinton Avenue East, on an electric scooter. Police said they were observed entering a vehicle, described as a grey 2023 Honda CR-V, which they later stole. The vehicle was last seen travelling on Don Mills Road. Police released an image of the suspects on the e-scooter in a news release on Friday. Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTV News
12-06-2025
- CTV News
Vaughan, Ont., resident fires gun to stop Lamborghini theft, charged alongside 4 suspects: police
Police say as many as six suspects are in custody following a number of break-and-enters in Vaughan on June 12, 2025. A Vaughan, Ont., resident who fired a gun at five suspects who were attempting to steal a white Lamborghini has been charged, police say. York Regional Police were called to Pine Heights Drive, near Major MacKenzie Drive West and Highway 400, at approximately 4 a.m. Thursday for a report of a vehicle theft in progress. While an emergency dispatcher was on the phone with the caller, police said, the sound of gunshots was heard. It's unclear who made the 911 call. Police previously stated that the resident successfully 'interrupted' the attempted auto theft and when officers arrived at the scene, they took four suspects (three adults and one youth) into custody. One other suspect is outstanding. No injuries were reported. Const. James Dickson told CP24 that the suspects were also charged with possession of property obtained by crime as the vehicle they drove to the scene was stolen. Initially, police said that the suspects were attempting to break into homes in the area. However, Dickson clarified that while police don't believe a break-and-enter took place, the suspects were on the resident's property at the time of the incident. Images from the scene showed that a Lamborghini remains parked in the driveway. Dickson said one of the adult suspects was on probation and the youth suspect was on a release order for unrelated charges. The resident, who rents the property and was identified by police only as a 35-year-old male, was charged with discharging a firearm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. Use of firearm not 'appropriate' in this case: police Dickson spoke about the resident's choice to discharge his firearm, described by police as a long gun, and said it was 'not the appropriate one' in this case. 'Proportionality and reasonability is entirely determined by the courts,' he said. 'Every case is distinct and different. And the biggest thing we want to hammer home is that there's always a very considerable danger to other people that are around (when a gun is discharged). A car can be replaced but a human life cannot.' Police are still trying to determine if the suspects were armed.
