NEW YORK — Twenty individuals have been indicted in a massive luxury auto theft ring that spanned New York City and the surrounding suburbs, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today. The 289-count indictment stems from a sweeping three-year investigation dubbed Operation Hellcat, targeting a network that stole and trafficked 126 vehicles worth more than $4.6 million.
The defendants allegedly stole vehicles ranging from Hondas and Acuras to high-performance Dodge Hellcats, BMWs, Mercedes-Benzes, and Land Rovers. Many cars were stolen directly from driveways or via vehicles left unlocked with keys or fobs inside. Others were accessed using devices to reprogram key fobs after breaking into locked vehicles.
“This is one of the most prolific and organized auto theft rings we have ever uncovered in New York City,” said DA Katz. “Through months of investigative work, including undercover buys and wiretaps, we dismantled a network that targeted and trafficked high-end cars using social media as a sales platform.”
How the Scheme Worked
The auto theft ring operated with a high level of coordination:
Scouts were used to identify targets and share pinned locations.
Theft crews accessed and started cars using electronic tools and key reprogramming devices.
Vehicles were sometimes parked temporarily to avoid detection and had their VINs obscured or license plates swapped.
Brokers advertised stolen vehicles through Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and Telegram.
Vehicles were often sold quickly without altering VINs, sometimes for as little as $1,000 to $6,000.
Of the 126 stolen vehicles tied to the ring, 44 were purchased by undercover officers.
The investigation also resulted in the seizure of three firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle.
Geographic Reach and Law Enforcement Effort
Stolen vehicles were traced to:
52 thefts in Queens
25 in Brooklyn
14 in Nassau County
10 each in the Bronx and Westchester
Additional thefts in Staten Island, Suffolk, Manhattan, New Jersey, and Massachusetts
Sixteen defendants were arrested this week in New York and Tennessee. Four have already been arraigned, while others are pending arrest or arraignment.
“This operation shows the effectiveness of long-term collaborative investigations,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “These criminals were organized, tech-savvy, and mobile. Thanks to a unified effort, we’ve shut down their pipeline.”
Faces Behind the Crimes
The 20 individuals charged include a mix of alleged theft crew members, brokers, and dealers — some even operating out of Tennessee. Among the most notable defendants:
Justin “Cupcake” Santiago, 33, faces up to 25 years on enterprise corruption and larceny charges, plus a separate indictment for drug-related crimes.
Adrian “Ben Bills” Villegas, 32, and Bryan “Savv” Bello, 24, each face up to 25 years in prison.
Jennifer Nunez-Jimenez, 26, and Greg “Fingers” Lopez Febres, 32, are also charged with enterprise corruption.
Franyeri “Franky” Cabrera Morel and Usiamrin “Lin” Chaleunsak, both from Tennessee, are accused of acting as car dealers in the ring.
Charges against the 20 defendants include enterprise corruption, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, conspiracy, and firearm offenses. The most serious offenses carry up to 25 years in prison.
A Warning for Criminal Enterprises
Queens DA Katz emphasized that this case sends a clear message: “No matter how sophisticated or coordinated your operation is, if you target our neighborhoods, you will be brought to justice.”
The investigation was conducted by the Queens DA’s Major Economic Crimes Bureau, NYPD Auto Crime Unit, and New York State Police, with support from numerous other local and federal agencies.
