A sophisticated auto theft ring, responsible for the theft of approximately 80 vehicles across multiple states, has been dismantled following a joint investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and partner agencies.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass, and representatives from the Tampa International Airport Police Department (TPAPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the arrests on Thursday.
“Thanks to the help of our law enforcement partners, six criminal aliens who stole upward of 80 cars will be brought to justice by our Statewide Prosecutors,” stated Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Florida is a law-and-order state; we will pursue justice and work with the Trump administration to send these criminals back to where they came from.”
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FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass praised the collaborative effort, stating, “This case is a testament to the power of law enforcement teamwork, and I’m proud of the work we were able to accomplish on this investigation. This is a textbook example of law enforcement collaboration at its finest, bringing down a sophisticated crime ring from an operation that stretched across the west coast of Florida.”
The investigation began in June 2022, when FDLE agents in Fort Myers identified 12 stolen vehicles from multiple counties. Further investigation revealed the suspects, based in the Tampa Bay area, were targeting airport rental vehicles.
They had access to keys for high-end rentals and transported the vehicles to unknown locations to switch Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) with fraudulent ones, intending to sell the stolen vehicles. They also utilized tracking devices to steal rental vehicles from lawful customers.
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The criminal enterprise operated across several Florida counties and committed similar crimes in Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio.
On March 11, 2025, FDLE agents, along with FHP, HSI, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, arrested five of the six suspects on racketeering charges. One suspect was also charged with possession of a vehicle containing altered VIN numbers.
The six suspects involved are:
- Hector Rafael Gonalez Tamayo (Arrested) – Racketeering
- Yoan Oriol Gonzalez Solorzano (Arrested) – Racketeering
- Felipe Benitez Alonso (Arrested) – Racketeering
- Yainier Pinillo Toro (In Custody, Texas) – Racketeering
- Maria Beatriz Rodriguez La Rosa (Arrested) – Racketeering, Possession of a Vehicle with Altered Numbers
- Inti Gomez Alonso (WANTED)
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