Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced the arrests of three Philadelphia men and a juvenile charged in connection with a vehicle-theft ring. The suspects are accused of using re-programmed key fobs to steal vehicles, prompting a warning for vehicle owners to remain vigilant.
The defendants, Tyreek Brown-Lopez, 19, Kaheem Henry, 20, and Kwadir Brockington, 21, face charges including theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, and unauthorized use of an automobile. The juvenile will be prosecuted in Juvenile Court.
“These defendants used technology to their advantage to allegedly access and steal numerous vehicles in the Philadelphia area,” Attorney General Henry stated. “I strongly urge vehicle owners to be vigilant and take proactive measures to secure their vehicles.”
William Fritze, Chief of the Gun Violence Task Force for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office said: “The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is proud of the investigative work of our partner agents with the Office of Attorney General. The matter will be vigorously prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Gun Violence Task Force.”
The car theft ring was uncovered by the Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force during a firearms investigation with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. Investigators allege that Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles were targeted by breaking sunroofs to access and program cloned key fobs.
Henry, Brockington, and a juvenile were apprehended in a stolen 2023 Dodge Hellcat SRT SUV. A search at Brockington’s home revealed firearms and equipment for programming key fobs. Brown-Lopez was arrested near a stolen Chrysler 300 with a broken sunroof; he was found with a cloned key fob for the stolen vehicle. Further investigation at his residence uncovered a ghost gun and additional key fob programming equipment.
An ongoing investigation is addressing related firearms offenses.
Brown-Lopez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 24 while Henry and Brockington have hearings set for September 17. This case is being prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.