A new C8 Chevy Corvette was one of several high-end vehicles seized by CHP in Southern California last week following the conclusion of a two-month long investigation.
In a recent social media post, the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Special Services Vehicle Theft Unit announced that it had concluded an investigation on March 24th, 2022, which led law enforcement to a location in Van Nuys, which is in the San Fernando Valley. At that location, law enforcement uncovered several luxury vehicles fraudulently purchased from local dealers.
A total of 35 vehicles were recovered, which, in addition to a C8 Corvette, also included models by Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. Estimated value for the vehicle collection is around $2.3 million.
CHP also said that it had seized a firearm and arrested one individual at the scene. Reports indicate that the suspect was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm. What’s more, a major indoor marijuana grow operation was discovered, incorporating more than 400 individual plants.
“The CHP Southern Division Vehicle Theft Unit’s primary mission is to investigate, arrest and prosecute criminals responsible for motor vehicle theft,” writes the CHP in a social media post. “Nevertheless, vehicle theft suspects are frequently involved in other criminal behavior, including weapons possession, narcotics trafficking, and other violent crimes that impact the community.”
Photos were published online showing rows of high-end vehicles parked end to end, some of which are obscured by tall grass. It’s possible some of the vehicles seized by law enforcement will end up at auction.
Of course, it should come as no surprise that the C8 Corvette was among the high-end vehicles suspected to have been fraudulently purchased. The new mid-engine Vette is in very high demand at the moment, regularly dominating its segment in terms of sales.
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Comments
I thought Calif. was going Electric. Goes to show Pot is a second job over there. Maybe they wanted to store gas for when they go all Electric… Yes, it a joke
ACAB
In Calif., those people arrested, will be back on the streets before the cars are returned to their owners.
Yes with the laws that are in place now they’ll be out in four hours slap on the wrist please don’t do it again ha ha
…they need Lulu the dog…(from the movie DOG…to take a bite out of crime
Just based on the cars they recovered, it looks like the thieves at least had good taste
Jonathan Lopez: Thanks for the article. You should have furthered detailed how the vehicles were fraudulently purchased from auto dealers. Cartel money? Drug sales revenues? Unreported income? Laundered money? Extorted money? Embezzled money? Etc. Leaves the reader in suspension wondering about the other half of this interesting criminal drama.
I too am interested in how someone was able to “fraudulently purchase” a vehicle from a dealer. and do it over and over again.
Last year I went to purchase a new vehicle from a dealer (4th new car that year) and the deal fell through when they out right
said they could not trust me and were afraid of letting me leave with the vehicle. It was the most bizarre encounter I have ever
had with a new car dealer (Palm Desert California).
Apparently, there is a way to buy a new car, and walk away…. go figure.