2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Criminal
Investigations
Division
Vehicle Theft Task Force recovers over 200 stolen vehicles
During the month of Feb. 2005, the Vehicle Theft Task Force recovered 232 vehicles at an estimated value of
$2,581,910. It also investigated 30 altered/switched VIN cases, investigated five chop shops, conducted one
business inspection and made 29 felony arrests.
Tucson motorcycle gang arrested in March
On Mar. 12, 2005 Tucson Police Department officers responded to the location of a stolen vehicle that was in the
process of being dismantled. Tucson Auto Theft and Vehicle Theft Task Force detectives obtained and served a
search warrant at the location. Two stolen vehicles were recovered and thirty more vehicles were identified.
Twenty-six firearms were seized as well as a quantity of methamphetamine and marijuana. The owner of the
property is the former president of a motorcycle gang. He and another subject were arrested on numerous
charges.
Organized crime auto theft ring operating in Scottsdale
Vehicle Theft Task Force detectives received information from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office about an
organized-crime auto-theft ring operating Scottsdale, Arizona. Detectives responded to an MVD call and
contacted a female subject who was trying to title a stolen BMW she just bought from a male subject. Taskforce
detectives followed up and contacted the male subject who led detectives to suspect another individual
who is a member of the organized auto-theft ring. Task-force detectives set up surveillance on the second
individual’s apartment in Scottsdale. He was arrested without incident after he was observed entering a stolen
pickup truck. Task force detectives served a search warrant on the subject’s residence and storage locker,
recovering two stolen vehicles, a usable amount of marijuana, and documents relating to two other stolen
vehicles. A total of four stolen vehicles were recovered.
DPS detectives recover stolen semi tuck and trailers in Globe
On Jan. 5, 2005, detectives conducted follow up investigation in the Globe area on a location/residence where a
stolen Caterpillar backhoe was stored. Detectives prepared an affidavit and search warrant for the location while
additional task-force detectives responded. The search was executed and detectives
recovered the stolen 2002 Caterpillar backhoe, a stolen 1987 Peterbuilt semi
truck, two stolen flatbed trailers and two cut up frames/parts to a 2000 Peterbuilt
semi truck as well as a 2001 Freightliner semi truck. The total value of recovered
items was approximately $250,000. Charges are pending on the two suspects.
Eight-day vehicle theft detail in five counties ends with recovery
of stolen vehicles, undocumented workers and illegal drugs
Vehicle Theft Task Force detectives participated in several vehicle theft enforcement details, over an eight-day
period, in Pima, Pinal, Yuma, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties. Detectives targeted stolen vehicles and
smuggling loads to include illegal drugs and illegal undocumented aliens. Seven stolen vehicles were recovered,
37 undocumented aliens were turned over to the U.S. Border Patrol, three felony arrests were made, $65,000
in U.S. currency was seized, and two and one-half ponds of marijuana was seized during the details.
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