An organized theft ring with at least 14 members across the United States is suspected of stealing nearly $5 million worth of vehicles from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport between 2023 and November 2024, according to search warrants obtained by local news outlets. has been accused of.
“Approximately 14 suspects have been identified…This group of suspects stole approximately 52 vehicles from DFW with a total loss of $4.9 million,” officials said in an affidavit obtained. mentioned in. NBC 5 Dallas vs. Fort Worth.
DFW Airport told Fox News Digital in a statement, “Airport Police recently made significant arrests that disrupted organized crime organizations and significantly reduced reports of motor vehicle theft in DFW.”
“A total of 142 vehicle thefts were reported in the DFW terminal area in 2023. Through November 2024, only 60 vehicles were reported stolen, which is a nearly 58% decrease from the previous year. ,” a DFW Airport spokesperson said. In a statement. “Police generally believe that luxury muscle cars and luxury SUVs are the targets of thieves. As has been widely reported, auto theft is an unfortunate national problem and facilities are facing.”
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Travelers wait through security at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Monday, December 23, 2024, in San Francisco, California, USA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen 40 million passengers this holiday season. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)
A DFW spokesperson added that the number of car thefts in DFW last year was small compared to the 3.4 million cars parked at airports each year.
“During my time as a Green Beret in the U.S. Army Special Forces, I saw organized theft organizations employ many of the same tactics as transnational criminal networks and terrorist organizations.” Founder of Imperio Consulting said Eric Brown, CEO and CEO with 24 years of experience. Green Beret veteran and security expert told FOX News Digital. “They are looking for easy targets, focusing on weak security measures and predictable routines. For travelers, it's important to make sure your vehicle doesn't become a soft target.”
“Park in a well-lit area, lock your doors, remove or keep valuables out of sight, and make sure your alarms and tracking systems are activated.”
The ring allegedly targeted airports throughout the West, including Texas, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
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A traveler holds a cat in a carrier at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) on Wednesday, November 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. (Ilya Nouberge/Bloomberg)
According to NBC 5, the affidavit states that the alleged ring leader, Yoel Hernandez-Frometa, 37, used an automated diagnostic tool called Autel Device to “reprogram the key fob and “I made it possible to steal the information.''
Gene Petrino, co-owner of Survival Response LLC and former SWAT commander, told FOX News Digital that organized thieves use the Autel tool “to reprogram key fobs and bypass modern security systems.” He said it is common to use . They often target “vehicles based on market demand and resale value,” he added.
“These devices are designed for authorized locksmiths and mechanics and can be exploited to imitate or reset vehicle keys,” Petrino said.
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Hernandez Frometa and two others, including 30-year-old Jose Alejandro Pavon Estopian and 29-year-old Viner Pinolotro, were arrested in July on charges of possessing a stolen vehicle in Salt Lake City, Utah, and fled in the car. did. Theft of a vehicle, failure to stop when ordered by police, and possession of burglary tools.
The three suspects were captured searching a vehicle at the Salt Lake City Airport and fled when police caught up with them and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
Travelers arrive at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Monday, December 23, 2024 in San Francisco, California, USA. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects to screen 40 million passengers this holiday season. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg)
Authorities eventually identified and took the suspect into custody with the assistance of multiple law enforcement departments. During the investigation, one of the suspect's backpacks was recovered, which was “full of empty car key fobs.”
Officers also found a key card to a nearby motel and obtained a search warrant for the motel. After clearing the suspect's room with the help of the Salt Lake City Police Department's SWAT team, officers found “a laptop, other hardware used to communicate electronic signals, and devices used to program the keys,” police said. “We found further evidence of an organized stolen vehicle operation,” police said at the time. “The keys were located inside the stolen vehicle from which the suspects fled.”
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The Salt Lake City Police Department noted that the three individuals are not affiliated with the city.
An Iberia plane flies over a parking lot at Los Angeles International Airport. (St. Petersburg)
It is unclear whether any of the 11 additional suspects involved in the theft ring have been arrested.
“These groups often divide the task into multiple teams. One crew scouts the parking lot, notes high-value vehicles, and passes that information to the thieves. Another group handles the fake documents and arranges for their storage or resale. This setup allows for flexibility and makes it difficult to trace,” Brown explained.
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Petrino similarly said that members of a theft ring “have specific roles. Some are in charge of reconnaissance, some are in charge of the technical aspects of reprogramming, and some are in charge of transporting and reselling stolen vehicles.” spoke.
They also operate “in multiple jurisdictions,” Petrino explained, “making them difficult to track and prosecute.”
Aerial view of vehicles in a parking lot on August 26, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Via Qian Weichu/VCG)
Because these organized theft rings operate across state lines, tracking down suspects requires expert coordination among law enforcement agencies, he added. In addition, police “often lack the resources to focus on complex investigations that span multiple states, especially when the theft is part of a larger criminal organization,” Petrino said. said.
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Brown similarly explained that local, state and federal authorities will need to work together to combat these theft rings, including targeting larger threats.
“This cooperation brings all the elements together and helps disrupt the entire theft network. This is no easy task, but with tenacious teamwork and resource sharing, law enforcement can weaken these organizations and We can protect people,” the former Green Beret said.
This incident is under investigation. The FBI's Dallas field office told Fox News Digital that it is aware of the theft ring and is assisting DFW Airport Police with the investigation.
