DALLAS, Texas — Two 19-year-olds, Bernado Bustos and Santos Bustos, have been arrested and charged in connection with a multi-city auto theft ring, according to the Dallas Police Department.
On August 28, 2025, a joint investigation led by the Dallas Police Auto Theft Salvage Squad, in collaboration with the Southwest and South Central CRT Units and the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force, resulted in the execution of multiple search warrants.
Authorities conducted operations at a residence on the 2700 block of Kenesaw Drive in Dallas and two additional locations in Barry, Texas.
In Dallas, officers recovered four stolen vehicles.
In Barry, they located three more vehicles reported stolen from Dallas, De Soto, and Lewisville.
The suspects allegedly swapped vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and used parts from the stolen vehicles for further illicit purposes.
Both Bernado and Santos Bustos have been charged with:
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (First-degree felony)
Theft of Property Between $30,000 and $150,000 (Third-degree felony)
“Auto theft is not a victimless crime, and this investigation had victims in several jurisdictions,” said Major Christopher Jaquez, commander of the General Investigations Division. “By partnering with the North Texas Auto Theft Task Force, we can take down criminals who operate in multiple cities.”
The case remains under investigation, and authorities say more arrests may follow.
