Latest news with #theftring
Motor 1
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'This Is Why I Have an 04 Camry:' Man Takes Ford F-250 to San Antonio. Then He Sees What Happened to It in the Hotel Parking Lot
When the owner of a Ford F-250 walked out of his hotel one morning, the truck was exactly where he left it—except for one small detail: the tail lights were gone, cleanly removed. No glass, no wires, just two neat holes where $1,000 worth of lighting used to be. That's what happened to online creator Alex (@3.6slowvvt_) during a recent overnight stay in San Antonio. In a TikTok clip that's been viewed more than 184,000 times, viewers see that his Platinum edition F-250 has had its tail lights removed. News reports in San Antonio recounted a rash of recent tail light robberies in the area. Why are People Stealing Tail Lights? Tail lights from trucks like the Ford F-Series are surprisingly valuable. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) sets can fetch several hundred to over $1,000 apiece , and in some higher trim models, replacement can cost even more. They're also relatively easy to remove : thieves only need to open the tailgate and undo a few screws, with no heavy tools or complex hacking required. Once removed, tail lights are typically not traceable, making them ideal for quick thefts. Alex's situation isn't an isolated TikTok incident. It's part of a growing wave of vehicle part stripping affecting truck owners nationwide. In the Houston area, police recently uncovered a theft ring responsible for stealing tail lights from 34 Ford trucks over four months between September 2024 and January 2025, with the stolen parts valued at more than $92,000. More on Ford's Tail Light Problem Police Are Fixing Ford's Taillight Theft Problem Thieves Have a New Target: Ford F-Series Taillights While catalytic converter thefts have dominated headlines in recent years, law enforcement agencies nationwide are increasingly reporting a shift toward more discrete, high-value parts. Tail lights, bumpers, and grilles—especially from full-size trucks—are now common targets , as Motor1 has reported before. These components are easy to remove, often untraceable, and in high demand, making them attractive to thieves seeking quick payoffs with lower risk of detection. Ford Super Duty and F-150 trucks are disproportionately affected by this type of theft, in part because of their widespread use among contractors, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts, groups that keep demand for replacement parts, especially tail lights, consistently high. The design of these trucks also makes them more vulnerable. OEM parts are modular and carry significant resale value, further incentivizing theft. Additionally, the trucks' elevated ride height provides easier access for thieves to reach and remove components like tail lights without much effort or visibility, especially in poorly lit or unsecured parking areas. What Can I Do to Protect My Car? While these kinds of activities can spread to just about any area, Texas authorities have seen enough incidents already to offer some preventative guidance : Park strategically: choose well-lit, secure locations; front-in spots near building entrances are ideal. Lock screw access points: installing tamper-proof screws or bolt kits makes removal far more difficult. Secure your tailgate: thieves often gain access through unlocked tailgates—secure yours. Install surveillance: Dashcams with motion sensors or rear-facing cameras can act as deterrents and evidence collectors. Equip vehicle alarms: systems with tilt or movement sensors increase the risk of detection during tampering. Engrave parts: Marking lights with unique identifiers can aid in recovery if stolen. Insurance Options Comprehensive auto insurance policies typically cover the cost of tail light theft and other non-collision damages, under the 'other than collision' or vandalism coverage segment. However, policyholders should be prepared to pay their deductible—from $0 to $2,000—before their insurer covers the remaining repair costs. Given the surge in demand for replacement parts like truck tail lights, owners may also experience delays in getting replacements if parts are back‑ordered, resulting in longer wait times for repairs. Law enforcement agencies frequently advise owners to engrave their VIN or photograph parts, such as tail lights or glass, before installation. This practice helps substantiate insurance claims and can improve recovery chances if stolen parts are located. VIN‑etching of windows and components has been credited with increasing the odds of recovering stolen vehicles by authorities. Motor1 reached out to Alex via direct message. Now Trending 'It Saved Me Money:' Woman Goes to Discount Tire for New Tires. Then She Pulls Out Her Costco Card 'I've Already Made A Payment:' Woman Purchases Lexus RX 350 from Carvana. Then They Send Her Another One Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Catalytic converter theft ring in California raked in $38M, prosecutors say
A 33-year-old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison for role in a family-run catalytic converter theft ring that brought in more than $38 million, federal officials announced this week. In a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, prosecutors said 33-year-old Tou Sue Vang, a resident of Sacramento, along with his brother Andrew Vang and his mother Monica Moua, bought stolen catalytic converters from thieves and transported them across state lines to a buyer New Jersey. 'Catalytic converter theft has become prevalent across the nation because of their value, relative ease to steal, and their lack of identifying markings,' the release noted. 'Thieves steal catalytic converters from vehicles on the street for the precious metals they contain.' In some cases, the precious metals inside the parts are more valuable per ounce than gold, prosecutors added, and the black-market rate for certain catalytic converters out of California can be more than $1,000 each. The theft ring was primarily run out of the family's residence, as well as storage units. FILE – This photo provided by the Phoenix Police Department shows stolen catalytic converters that were recovered after detectives served a search warrant at a storage unit in Phoenix, May 27, 2022. The Minnesota Senate voted 40-25 on Thursday, March 2, 2023, to make it harder for thieves to sell stolen catalytic converters, a crime that has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. (Phoenix Police Department via AP, File) Inside the vehicle were six stolen catalytic converters, a stolen license plate and burglary tools, officials said. The vehicle itself was also found to have been stolen. (FB/Fountain Valley Police Department) Deputies seized 20 catalytic converters from inside a car they pulled over for a routine traffic stop in the Isla Vista area of Santa Barbara County, California. Jan. 17, 2023. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office) Two suspects were arrested after officers found six stolen vehicles and over 100 stolen catalytic converters inside their Victorville home on Nov. 13, 2023. (San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department) In this undated photo provided by the Utah Attorney General's Office, catalytic converters are shown after being seized in a recent investigation. (Utah Attorney General's Office via AP) The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on June 8, 2022, released this image of seized catalytic converters (SBCSD) The underside of a Toyota Prius with a catalytic converter (Getty Images) Brand new catalytic converters seen in this undated file photo. Some of the shipments to DG Auto in the Garden State weighed as much as 1,000 pounds and contained a specific type of high-value catalytic converter, like those found in the Toyota Prius. DG Auto, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times, turned around sold the parts to a metal refinery for more than $100 million. 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis Tou Vang used proceeds from the illicit business to finance his lavish lifestyle, which included a $1.23 million multi-home complex on five acres in Rio Linda, the DOJ said. As part of his sentence, the U.S. Government seized $150,000 in cash, 13 vehicles, four personal watercraft, jewelry, real estate and other property. In 2023, Tou Vang, his brother and mother pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in connection to the theft ring. 'This takedown is the first of its kind in the nation and a major step forward in dismantling a catalytic converter theft ring,' Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office said. 'The group is tied to an estimated $38 million in losses, and this investigation shows the power of strong collaboration.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
