Attorney questions RICO charges in Hillsborough multimillion dollar car theft ring case
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said they put a stop to a multimillion dollar crime spree where 30 new cars were stolen from 20 car lots in 12 different Florida counties.
Investigators said the thieves would go to car dealership or lots, choose a high end car, they would either break a window or sunroof, or use a programmer to make a key on site. They would then steal the car and leave it somewhere to make sure it wasn't tracked, then take it to a location to sell it or strip it for parts.
Four people were arrested. Two of the suspects were 16 and 17 years old. HCSO said three of the four are facing RICO conspiracy or endeavor and RICO violations.
News Channel 8 asked attorney Bryant Camareno how long the suspects could face in prison if convicted.
"One count of racketeering in the maximum is 30 years," Camareno said. "Most likely in the range of 20 to 30 years for a range of car thefts, which is a crime, but is that something that's proportional to the type of crimes they're being prosecuted of?"
Camareno said the thieves should be punished, but not in a RICO case, which he said can make one person liable for the crime.
"What would the victim, the true owner of the vehicle, would he prefer that the guy who stole the car get prison for 30 years or maybe probation for 10-20 years and he can make is money back?" Camareno said.
Camareno was approached by family members of some of the suspects after he was interviewed by News Channel 8, but before this story aired. As of this writing, he has not accepted any of the cases.
According to HCSO, some of the stolen vehicles include a Dodge Ram TRX, valued at more than $130,000, Jeep Trackhawks, valued at $85,000, and Dodge Hellcats, valued at $60,000.
Omar Ibanez works at 344 Export, an Auto Parts shop in Tampa. He was asked how much the parts for some of the high end cars can run.
"Brand new car parts are extremely expensive," Ibanez said. "I can imagine they are at least around $4,000, $3,000 depending on the trim level."
According to the arrest warrant, some of the defendants' involvement in this case goes back to December 2023. Camareno said it's likely the cost of investigating this is also a lot. He said while it is a crime, he questions how much impact it has on society.
"I just think better resources are extend in focusing on violent criminals and not car thieves," Camareno said.
Deputies are still looking for one other suspect involved in the case.
The sheriff said there is no place for vehicle theft in the state.
