Police are searching for a former airport rental car employee, Milton Thompson III, who has been charged with orchestrating the theft of 47 vehicles valued at over $1 million from the Avis Budget parking area at Syracuse Airport. The announcement was made on Friday.
The 31-year-old Thompson is suspected of stealing these cars over a two-month span from June to August, as reported by the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police Department.
Thompson, who has worked for Avis Budget Car Rentals, faces charges of grand theft and fraud, according to local news sources.
Authorities believe he led a network that distributed the stolen vehicles throughout Onondaga County.
The scheme came to light when Avis Budget informed law enforcement about numerous missing cars earlier this year.
So far, officials have recovered 42 of the 47 stolen vehicles, but they are still looking for Thompson and the remaining cars.
Anyone with information about Thompson’s location is urged to contact the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Airport Police Department.
Details regarding how the vehicles were removed from the parking lot and how long the thefts continued without detection haven’t been disclosed. Police have reported that several other individuals have already been apprehended and charged in relation to the case.
Investigators have not confirmed the duration of Thompson’s employment with the company or if he acted independently.
Avis Budget has stated that they are fully cooperating with investigators.
Authorities suspect that Thompson used his position to take the vehicles and re-rent them at various off-site locations, sometimes through unofficial means.
The Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office is collaborating with airport police to develop the necessary charges as Thompson remains at large. He is described as a black man, 31 years old, who was previously employed by Avis Budget at the airport.
