Suspects Arrested in Alleged Theft Ring

Police arrested 10 Thai nationals for their alleged participation in a car theft ring in California that resulted in millions of dollars in losses for insurance companies and car dealerships, according to the Associated Press.

Malidar Uthainatapong and Naraporn Uthainatapong of Lynwood; Boonplod Klunchoo of Downey; Eric Boutatay of West Covina; Pamela Newton of Anaheim; Jane Chokemesil of Norwalk; Porpen Tunsupaphol and Mary Utha of Los Angeles; and Jaruporn Samanukorn and Yuwanda Samanukorn, both of Sun Valley, were arrested on embezzlement and auto theft charges. They were all released on bail.

The suspects allegedly were paid $1,000 to lease cars. Other suspects then allegedly installed global positioning systems in the cars, which were located and stolen before selling them again to other buyers. The scam reportedly cost $10 million in losses to dealerships and insurances, with more than 100 vehicles fraudulently leased from dealerships in Hermosa Beach and Los Angeles County. Losses included value of the vehicles and insurance payouts. Some of the vehicles have been recovered.