Audio By Carbonatix

When local police, the FBI, and the IRS on a suspicious string of Milwaukee car thefts in 2019, no one could have guessed what a huge crime ring they’d uncover. “Operation Strike Out” has charged 23 suspects across the country with stealing cars, swapping VINs, transporting them to sell them or trade them for drugs, trafficking drugs, and even stealing innocent people’s identities.

Milwaukee Sheriff Denita R. Bail put it succinctly. “This group took advantage of innocent people and turned lives upside down. Their actions were calculated and callous.”

Jason Bushey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Chicago Field Office added a warning. “If you build your enterprise on fraud and deception, we will find you, we will expose you, and we will hold you accountable.” But finding al the car theft crime ring’s members was no easy task. Their addresses range from Delaware to North Dakota.

Later, FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle explained how it all went down. “These individuals are part of a criminal organization responsible for hundreds of high-end motor vehicle thefts resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Their criminal activity involves a complex operation of stealing vehicles and transporting them across the country.”

The car theft crime ring targeted an airport, dealerships, and even factories

They targeted Milwaukee’s airport as well as car dealerships, and even automakers’ assembly plants. Eventually, the investigation tied 175+ cars to this one gang. It found the criminals created front companies, altered VINs, made fake titles, registered the stolen cars, and sold them or traded them for drugs.

The Sheriff added “This was not just a ring of car thieves.” The FBI explained: “In Wisconsin, this organization is responsible for drug trafficking multiple kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl.”

Acting U.S. Attorney Richard G. Frohling delivered the indictment.  “I commend all involved in pursuing justice for the impacted victims and for seeking to hold the charged individuals accountable for their actions.”