A group of men accused of stealing over 200 cars worth $9.3 million will face organized crime charges during an arrest operation in North Texas, according to authorities.
According to a press release from the Grapevine Police Department, the seven males captured during a SWAT operation in March face charges of engaging in organized criminal activities. Police predict additional federal charges. According to the announcement, seven people were arrested and charged in the case: Jeremiah Morel, Cristian Morel, Dylan Correa, Gavin Correa, Kevin Oates Jr, Jose Perez, and Henry Actwood Jr.
A group of thieves has been stealing cars from public parking lots in North Texas since 2022, with the majority of the robberies taking place in Grapevine, according to the statement. From January 1, 2023, to March 22, 2024, Grapevine police received 316 distinct reports of auto theft.
In 2023, two Grapevine detectives and a crime analyst began studying security videos, crime bulletins, and social media posts to determine the source of the thefts, according to the release. Their investigation assisted the department in identifying many individuals and connecting them to over 200 thefts in other cities across the metroplex, according to police.
In March, patrol officers, SWAT teams, and other agencies served arrest warrants in Dallas and Garland. Police thought that persons inside the home were armed with many firearms, surveillance cameras, and a tiger, according to officials.
According to authorities, officers served the warrants without causing any harm.
According to WFAA, the total proven loss associated with the ring is more than $9.3 million and over 200 cars.