California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced charges against three people allegedly involved in 13 different vehicle thefts or attempted vehicle thefts throughout California.
Between July 2023 and March 2024, the suspects participated in a large-scale conspiracy to steal expensive high performance vehicles from the counties of El Dorado, Kings, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Tulare. Charges have been filed by DOJ’s Special Prosecutions Section, after an investigation and arrests were conducted by Visalia Police Department.
“At the California Department of Justice, we are fighting organized crime in the field and in the courtroom,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will not tolerate theft that endangers our communities. I am thankful for strong partnerships with local law enforcement that make California a safer state. When we work together, we get results.”
The total value of the stolen vehicles to date is over $600,000. The DOJ’s Special Prosecution Section filed charges in El Dorado County of felony conspiracy, vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicle, vandalism, receipt of stolen property and operating a chop shop.
DOJ’s Special Prosecution Section investigates and prosecutes complex criminal cases occurring in California, primarily related to financial, securities, mortgage, and environmental fraud; public corruption, including violations of California’s Political Reform Act; “underground economy” offenses, including tax and revenue fraud and counterfeiting; and human trafficking. Vertical teams of prosecutors, investigators, auditors, and paralegals often work with federal and local authorities on cases involving multi-jurisdictional criminal activity.
A copy of the criminal complaint can be found here.