College Park resident Jefferson Ventura was arrested and charged by the agency's Major Crimes Division - Auto Crime Enforcement Section (ACES) with multiple counts of auto theft and other related charges, authorities announced on Friday.
In April, detectives were alerted to a series of vehicle thefts involving high-end General Motors and Mopar vehicles from dealerships across Montgomery County. Several privately-owned vehicles were also targeted by the thieves.
According to the department, "with assistance from the Howard County Police Department, Baltimore County, and Prince George’s County, Ventura was identified as a suspect during the investigation."
An arrest warrant was issued for Ventura charging him with the thefts of five vehicles, which have a combined estimated value of $185,064. He faces five counts of motor vehicle theft, along with other auto theft-related charges.
At the time the warrant was served, investigators noted that Ventura was already in custody at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit on several auto theft charges from neighboring jurisdictions. He also has a detainer for felony larceny out of North Carolina.
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