Forget Ocean’s Eleven – Meet Rhode Island’s Four! Feds Bust Luxury Auto-Theft Ring
Four Rhode Island gearheads allegedly turned their passion into a $5 million luxury car stealing spree – now the feds are along for the ride. 🌐 #News #ProvidenceRI #RhodeIsland #Crime
PROVIDENCE, RI – In a plot that seems ripped from a Hollywood blockbuster, a sophisticated auto-theft ring based right here in Rhode Island has been dismantled, exposing a sprawling criminal enterprise that spanned four states and targeted some of the most coveted luxury vehicles on the market. The audacious scheme, which saw the theft of approximately 120 high-end cars valued at a staggering $5 million, has led to the indictment of four Rhode Island men, marking a significant breakthrough in the case.
The Masterminds: Four Rhode Islanders Face Federal Charges
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island announced on Friday that Belter Giron, 28, of North Providence; Alberto Rivera, 24, of Cranston; Richard Robinson, 32, of Providence; and Onix Eduardo, 27, also of Providence, have been charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and interstate transportation of stolen property.
According to court documents, the group’s brazen crime spree lasted from February to July 2023, during which they allegedly burglarized 12 dealerships across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. The thieves showed a particular penchant for high-end marques, with Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Land Rover among their prime targets.
But the ring’s ambitions weren’t limited to four-wheeled luxury. In a daring deviation from their usual modus operandi, the group allegedly struck a motorcycle dealership in Pennsylvania, making off with 19 Husqvarna motorcycles. They also targeted a dealership in Phillipston, Massachusetts, where they purportedly stole 11 dirt bikes, showcasing the versatility of their criminal enterprise.
From Porsche to Dirt Bikes: A Trail of High-End Heists
Investigators pieced together the conspiracy through a combination of surveillance footage, intercepted communications, and old-fashioned detective work.
One particularly damning piece of evidence came from Providence Police Department surveillance video. The footage allegedly captured Giron and Robinson outside a Providence residence on March 13, 2023, with a $96,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk – a vehicle reported stolen along with three others from a New Hampshire dealership just the day before.
Communications intercepted between the co-conspirators reportedly revealed discussions about the thefts, efforts to sell the stolen vehicles, and the personal use of some of the ill-gotten automobiles by Giron and others. Giron is alleged to have played a key role in brokering the sale of the stolen vehicles.
Law enforcement agencies have been working tirelessly to recover the stolen property. To date, they have successfully retrieved 41 vehicles and 11 dirt bikes, with most found in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In a twist that highlights the international scope of the operation, one stolen Range Rover was discovered in a shipping container in New Jersey, apparently en route to Africa.
The Aftermath: Legal Proceedings and Recovery Efforts
All four defendants have made initial appearances in federal court. Giron and Eduardo are currently being held in federal custody, while Rivera has been returned to the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions, where he was previously detained. Robinson, meanwhile, has been released on bond.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated nature of modern auto-theft rings and their ability to operate across state lines. As the legal proceedings unfold, the automotive industry and law enforcement agencies alike will be watching closely, hoping that this high-profile bust will deter similar operations and help safeguard the luxury vehicle market.
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