How One License Plate Disrupted a Large Criminal Operation Involved in Luxury Car Theft | Carscoops

      The operation resulted in a significant seizure, comprising stolen vehicles, apparel, jewelry, laundered cash, real estate, and drugs.

      July 3, 2025, at 21:01

      by Stephen Rivers

      A lost license plate facilitated the dismantling of a criminal network involved in car theft, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

      Law enforcement apprehended 23 individuals and discovered cloned VINs, narcotics, and laundering activities through LLCs.

      The group targeted luxury vehicles, resold them, and funneled the earnings through fraudulent businesses.

      In Wisconsin, police recently dismantled a criminal enterprise linked to the theft of high-end cars, firearms, money laundering connected to real estate, and narcotics. Ultimately, 23 people were arrested, multiple vehicles were confiscated, and authorities dismantled what they describe as a complex interstate car theft ring. This operation originated in 2022, sparked by the discovery of a lost license plate.

      Officers found the lost plate abandoned on a highway in Kenosha County three years ago. They connected it to a stolen vehicle from Milwaukee, prompting an investigation that revealed connections to multiple thefts in the vicinity. Authorities obtained search warrants for locations in Milwaukee and Illinois.

      As a result, several individuals suspected of leading this theft ring were identified. The suspects targeted luxury cars, such as the recovered Corvette showcased, stealing them from homes or Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee. They allegedly utilized professional-grade scanning and cloning equipment.

      After securing the stolen vehicles, they would swap the VIN plates and resell the cars for cash at significantly lower prices than market value. Authorities report that these cars ended up in various locations across the U.S., including Florida, Las Vegas, and Georgia. The next phase involved laundering the cash through LLCs that acquired real estate. Once the properties were sold, the money became legitimate.

      As part of this investigation, officials also uncovered a drug operation responsible for distributing "large quantities" of heroin and methamphetamine. They seized credit card cloning devices, counterfeit vehicle titles, fake VIN plates, stolen clothing, stolen jewelry, four cars, and one stolen firearm, along with cash.

      "The fact that a recovered license plate in Kenosha County led to the federal indictments of 23 individuals is truly remarkable. I take pride in our detectives for identifying key figures, executing search warrants, and collecting vital evidence on this crime ring," stated Sheriff David Zoerner. There is no doubt that this operation reflects commendable police work, yet it is just one of many recent crackdowns.

      This year alone, we have reported on numerous comparable cases. In February, authorities dismantled a crime ring involved in rerouting high-end vehicle deliveries. In April, police discovered millions in stolen BMWs and Rolls-Royces in Bronx parking garages. Last month, officers apprehended a group utilizing stolen cars on Turo.

      Credit: KCSO