26 people are accused of running an international car theft ring out of the Philadelphia area. The suspects are from Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.
The investigation, named "Operation Wheels of Fortune," involved PA State Police, Philadelphia Police, U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, NJ State Police, United States Marshals Service, and the Bensalem Township Police.
As authorities announced the bust on Tuesday, they released details of this elaborate operation. Here's how it allegedly worked.
State Police say the thieves allegedly would distract service staff of car dealerships early in the morning before opening time, and would grab the keys out of the showroom.
"Once the thieves acquired the keys, they’d walk through the lot of the dealership pressing the unlock button and quickly locate the target Vehicle," said Frank Noonan, PA State Police Commissioner.
Investigators say head thief Qadiyr Anderson, of Philadelphia, would coordinate the stolen cars and broker Akim Lane, of Folsom, would take information about the make and model of the stolen vehicle and give instructions on where to park the car, often in Southwest Philadelphia.
Once a stolen car was parked, a potential buyer would drive by to check out the vehicle, according to Noonan.
Investigators say Mohamad Fornah, of Philadelphia, led the group of buyers who allegedly purchased the stolen cars with the intent to ship them to be sold overseas in West Africa.
Some of the cars were also taken through violence means, like carjacking and home burglaries, according to authorities.
Pennsylvania State Police busted the theft ring after 41 cars, worth $1.6 million, were loaded onto trailers in Deptford, on the way to a shipping port in Newark.
In total, authorities believe the 26 suspects are responsible for the theft of 57 vehicles, worth $2.3 million dollars.
Many of those suspects have been arrested, but police say they are still trying to track down several others.
Mohamad Fornah is already in a federal jail in New York, police said.
