45 NY Cars Stolen in High-Tech Heist
A high-tech crime ring capitalized on the COVID-19 pandemic to steal 45 cars from New York, using sophisticated methods to reprogram the vehicles and resell them as far away as the Caribbean. Here are the details on Operation Master Key.
Operation Master Key Uncovered
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of tech-savvy criminals orchestrated a large-scale car theft operation in New York City and Westchester County. The scheme involved nine individuals who used advanced techniques to steal and resell vehicles.
The Method Behind the Madness
The criminals targeted primarily Hondas, obtaining key-code information from illegal websites. With this information, they created keys that allowed them to breach and steal the vehicles. Once inside, they reprogrammed the cars' computer systems, disabling alarms and starting the engines without drawing attention. This technological prowess enabled them to swiftly and silently steal cars even in densely populated areas.
Resale and Rebranding of Stolen Cars
After stealing the cars, the thieves transported them to several lots in the Bronx. Here, they altered the vehicles by changing the vehicle identification numbers (VINs), adding fake plates, and placing forged federal certification stickers. These modifications effectively gave the stolen cars new identities, making them difficult to trace. Some of the stolen cars were sold within the United States, while others were shipped to the Dominican Republic for resale.
Bringing the Perpetrators to Justice
The takedown of Operation Master Key was the result of a two-year investigation by the Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force and the NYPD's Auto Crime Division. The investigation involved hundreds of hours of surveillance, wiretapping, and the execution of search warrants. The meticulous work led to the arrest and prosecution of the crime ring members, who have all since pleaded guilty.
Sentencing and Restitution
The nine defendants received various sentences. Norberto Pena Brito, the ringleader, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison and ordered to pay nearly $40,000 in restitution. Others, including Jose Lebron Pimentel and Dariberto Fernandez Perez, received similar sentences. Additionally, three of the accomplices were sentenced to five years of probation.
The unraveling of Operation Master Key demonstrates the relentless efforts of law enforcement to combat sophisticated criminal enterprises. As technology evolves, so do the methods of criminals, necessitating continuous advancements in investigative techniques.
References: NY crime ring swiped, resold 45 cars using key info discovered online during COVID pandemic, AG says | Attorney General James Announces Conviction of Bronx Car Theft Ring For Stealing 45 Cars In Six Months
