California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced charges against three individuals allegedly involved in 13 vehicle thefts or attempted thefts across California. The incidents, which occurred between July 2023 and March 2024, involved a conspiracy to steal high-performance vehicles from the counties of El Dorado, Kings, Monterey, Riverside, San Benito, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and Tulare. The Department of Justice's Special Prosecutions Section filed the charges following an investigation and arrests conducted by the Visalia Police Department.
“At the California Department of Justice, we are fighting organized crime in the field and in the courtroom,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We will not tolerate theft that endangers our communities. I am thankful for strong partnerships with local law enforcement that make California a safer state. When we work together, we get results.”
The total value of the stolen vehicles exceeds $600,000. Charges filed in El Dorado County include felony conspiracy, vehicle theft, possession of stolen vehicles, vandalism, receipt of stolen property, and operating a chop shop.
The DOJ’s Special Prosecution Section focuses on complex criminal cases related to financial frauds such as securities and mortgage fraud; public corruption; tax and revenue fraud; counterfeiting; human trafficking; and other "underground economy" offenses. These cases often involve collaboration with federal and local authorities due to their multi-jurisdictional nature.
A copy of the criminal complaint is available for public access.
It is important to note that every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.