40 Cars Recovered in Takedown of Million Dollar Stolen Vehicle Sales Operation
New York officials reported that after a year-long investigation they have recovered more than 40 Honda and Toyota vehicles worth more than a million dollars that were stolen.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Police (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the takedown of a car theft operation that allegedly sold stolen vehicles throughout New York and New Jersey. Five individuals have been charged with 92 crimes for their roles in selling stolen cars.
The investigation began in February 2025 when Jonathan Mercedes Silvestre was identified as the broker for the sale of stolen motor vehicles, according to officials. The investigation included physical and covert video surveillance, court-authorized wiretapping of cellular telephones, the analysis of electronic evidence, including cellphone communications and tracking information, and other investigative operations.
Police said that the investgfation revealed that Raulin Rodriguez and Jender Santos-Ulloa were Silvestre’s sources for stolen vehicles, while Josue Dejesus Gonzalez, Juan Tavarez Cabrera, and other individuals allegedly served to locate, acquire, and transport vehicles to be resold to a network of customers throughout New York and New Jersey.
The vehicles were stolen from various locations throughout Bergen and Passaic Counties in New Jersey, as well as New York, Kings, Bronx, Queens, and Westchester Counties in New York.
The investigation recovered more than 40 stolen vehicles, including 19 Honda CRVs; six Lexus IS 350s; five Toyota Highlanders; four Honda Accords; three Acura TLXs; two Lexus IS 500s and one Honda Civic.
“A stolen car can completely upend a family’s life, making it harder to get to school, work, and do essential errands,” said Attorney General James. “This investigation stopped a far-reaching criminal operation that sold dozens of stolen cars across New York and New Jersey.”
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at trial or by plea.
Attorney General James’ office has had some success in recent efforts to address motor vehicle thefts including securing $9 million from Hyundai and Kia for failing to install anti-theft technology on new cars; the arrest of two individuals linked to multiple Honda thefts in New York City; and takedowns of an interstate luxury vehicle theft ring and an auto theft ring linked to the theft and resale of more than 225 vehicles.