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Beginning in October last year, Marvin Williams, Nicholas Dixon, Jason Higney, Besar Ismaili, Steven Klein, Lashaumba Randolph and Abdurahamin Shabazz allegedly operated the stolen car ring.
During the operation, they allegedly would obtain stolen cars from Michigan and Florida, transported the stolen cars to New York and Connecticut for resale. In an effort to sell the cars, they would create or obtain fraudulent titles, registrations and temporary license plates, then used those records to deceive buyers. The seven also allegedly used online markets to solicit buyers, including several in New York.
Williams, 32, of Torrington, Connecticut, Dixon, 43, of Tamarac, Florida, Higney, 39, of Terryville, Connecticut and Klein, 55, of Easton, Connecticut are each charged with the sale or transportation of stolen vehicles and conspiracy to do the same, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Ismaili, 37, of Waterbury, Connecticut, Randolph, 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, and Shabazz, 45, of Providence, Rhode Island, are each charged with conspiracy to sell and transport stolen vehicles, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
In total, the seven stole an approximate $3.1 million in luxury cars, and kept several for themselves.
“As alleged, these defendants operated a nationwide stolen car ring involving stolen luxury cars worth more than $3 million,” U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said. “They stole from rightful owners and used a criminal network of thieves, fraudsters, and forgers to line their pockets, all while driving themselves around in stolen Lamborghinis, Range Rovers, and other pilfered prizes. With our partners at the FBI and the State Police, we have slapped a boot onto these fast-paced heists, and will now tow the defendants off to justice.”
The four area suspects were charged in White Plains. The others will be presented before federal judges in Florida, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
“As alleged, these individuals conspired to steal property, defraud state and local authorities, and unwittingly involve private citizens in an auto-theft ring spanning the country,” FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney, Jr., stated. “This kind of criminal activity undermines public confidence and destabilizes communities. Thanks to the diligence and hard work by law enforcement, these arrests have put the brakes on this criminal enterprise.”
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