The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office successfully took down a criminal group responsible for stealing nearly $2.5 million worth of vehicles across Florida.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Family Affair,” targeted brothers Rafael and Christion Garcia, who have extensive criminal records.
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The investigation revealed that this group committed thefts from car dealerships in multiple counties, including Hillsborough, from December 2023 through August 2024. They would break into vehicles and use programmers to create new keys, later storing the stolen cars in a unit to strip them for parts or sell them.
High-end vehicles like Chrysler Hellcats, Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, Jeep TrackHawks, and Dodge Ram TRXs were among their targets. Four of the six suspects were arrested on September 18th, with five facing RICO violations.
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“The work of our Auto Theft Unit, alongside our partners throughout the state, sends a loud and resounding message: there is no place for vehicle theft in Florida,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “These individuals not only conspired to commit a continuous pattern of crime but were deriving substantial profits from their activity. Our detectives and deputies conducted a thorough investigation and held these criminals accountable for their actions.”
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“This organized crime ring terrorized car dealerships stealing 30 new vehicles from 20 lots in 12 different Florida counties. While they operated fast, they didn’t have enough gas to outrun the law, and now that HCSO has put the brakes on their operation—my Statewide Prosecutors will ensure they pay for their multimillion-dollar crime spree,” said Attorney General Ashley Moody.
The arrested individuals include Christion Rafael Garcia, Rafael Edward Garcia, Bisma Fayyaz Sial (arrested in Pasco County), Adriel Fabian Mendez Arroyo, and Enzo Prado Oliveira. One suspect remains at large.
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