Jet-setting thieves are stealing millions of cars from airport parking lots across the country

Car theft happens every day and everywhere. By driveways Unpleasant dealersno parking space is safe. Not even the airport.

Recent reports indicate so car theft from airport parking lots is more common than we think. Oh well, we probably didn’t think about it much anyway, especially since cars sometimes sit in airports for too long, essentially abandoned. If you’re in Missouri, they don’t even get towed away. But in New York City, the city will drag And sell unclaimed vehicles. They don’t mess around with that alternative parking thing.

Speaking of NYC, six New Yorkers, along with two suspects from Atlanta, recently pleaded guilty to stealing multiple vehicles from airports along the East Coast and in the Midwest. The group was indicted last year and allegedly used stolen identities and credit card information to make bookings rental car reservations. The group often flew together, picked up the vehicles and simply never returned them.

According to Business insiderthe NYC-ATL crew focused on high-end luxury SUVs including the BMW X7, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban. A Statement from the Ministry of Justice said the group stole at least 19 vehicles worth more than $1.1 million. The identities of at least 23 people were also compromised.

All plead guilty to multiple charges related to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing will take place between December 2024 and February 2025, depending on the suspect’s charges and plea date.

In Texas, one is based in Houston car theft ring has been identified in connection with approximately 52 stolen vehicles from Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport. This despite a Decrease in the number of car thefts by 40 percent year on yearaccording to DFW Airport Police. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the cars were taken from various parking garages and airport parking lots. The total loss to the vehicle owners is estimated at $4.9 million. And that’s just at DFW.

The group, of which about fourteen suspects have been identified so far, has targeted other airports in Texas, as well as Nevada, New Mexico and Utah, since July last year. The stolen cars then had their VIN numbers changed and illegally resold. The vehicles were resold in the US and also taken to Mexico.

According to search warrants, the crime ring used old-fashioned tactics. Not quite one USB cable hackthe suspects were found in possession of common car theft gadgets such as an Autel key programming and cloning device, a Bluetooth vehicle communication interface, car stealth equipment, a laptop and a bunch of tools such as screwdrivers and pliers.

Three suspects were arrested last month and face multiple charges, including involvement in organized crime. The DFW investigation is still ongoing.