Thread: STEAL & SMUGGLE

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STEAL & SMUGGLE
Video: Steal And Smuggle
Raw Video: Surveillance Of Pickup Theft

Tips: Protect Yourself Against Auto Theft


Steal And Smuggle
By Willard Shepard and Scott Zamost

POSTED: 11:03 am EST February 5, 2007
UPDATED: 10:50 am EST February 6, 2007

MIAMI -- "They pulled in, got in the vehicle, stole it and drove away all within 76 seconds," said David Yglesias, general manager of Palmetto Truck Center in Miami.

That's all it took for thieves to steal a Ford F-series truck from the South Florida dealership -- caught by surveillance cameras.

Hollywood makes it look glamorous but on South Florida streets it's a nightmare. Ford F-series trucks, taken from South Florida drivers, are ending up in Mexico. They're used to smuggle drugs and illegal immigrants into the U.S.

"The pattern we have seen and are able to identify is that the recovery of these Florida stolen vehicles are along the border," said Lt. Mario Flores, of the Texas Department of Law Enforcement.

"We've had quite a few of our customers that buy a vehicle and very shortly it gets stolen," Yglesias told NBC 6.

The thief at the car dealer hasn't been caught. NBC 6's investigation found this was one of more than 600 F-series trucks stolen last year in South Florida -- most in Miami-Dade County. The old-fashioned keys are making them easier to swipe.

"I could see where they used a pick to drill the hole and pick and pop the ignition key out," Mike Delai said.

Delai's F-series disappeared from his driveway last year.

"In the time frame of mine, it was approximately about 20 or 30 seconds," he said.

Detectives found Nelson Vento behind the wheel of Delai's truck on Alligator Alley with a passenger, Julio Fonts. Their destination -- Texas. Police don't know if the truck was going to be used for smuggling.

NBC 6 reporter Willard Shepard traveled to El Paso, Texas with the Rio Grande behind him. That is the point where New Mexico, the state of Texas and Mexico all come together. With the water so low, trucks can be driven right across the river.

Miami-Dade police Sgt. Chris Bimonte joined an auto theft summit in El Paso, hoping to stop stolen vehicles from going into Mexico.

"Once they're brought across the border, it's getting more and more difficult to bring them back," Bimonte said.

El Paso detectives took NBC 6 across the border to Juarez, Mexico.

They used satellite photos and checked out locations. They suspect stolen U.S. cars are being sold right out on the street.

Mexican police just south of the border recovered 240 stolen U.S. vehicles last year -- most were Ford trucks. NBC 6 saw one that police later said may have been stolen.

"They stage these vehicles along different places along the border for number one importation of narcotics, contraband of other sorts, weapons, cash and of course illegal aliens," said Lt. Tommy Hansen, president of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.

If they're recovered, many wind up in a Mexican impound lot, including 11 from Florida.

Back in South Florida there's no end in sight to truck theft arrests.

"The bad guys are finding out it's really easy to steal this car," Bimonte said.

Vento was arrested and pleaded not guilty to grand theft. New charges are expected to be filed against the other man, police said.

Meanwhile, all 2008 F-series trucks will have a chip in the key, making them much harder to steal.
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Vento was arrested and pleaded not guilty to grand theft.

He's not guilty of grand thieft...as in...he didn't steal the vehicle the vehicle stoled him.

STEAL & SMUGGLE & LIE!!!

Isn't this the truth. What is funny is that alot of them also get stolen in the parts of the County that are predominantly Hispanic. We already had a BOLO (be on the look out) this morning for late model Ford pickup. It was a nice dually one at that.

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

[He's not guilty of grand thieft...as in...he didn't steal the vehicle the vehicle stoled him.

STEAL & SMUGGLE & LIE!!!

Yes but that is a logical defense is it not?

Originally Posted by anniealone

Originally Posted by IndianaJones

[He's not guilty of grand thieft...as in...he didn't steal the vehicle the vehicle stoled him.

STEAL & SMUGGLE & LIE!!!

Yes but that is a logical defense is it not?

He was probably only joy rideing!!you know illegals are aloud to do that, but warning!! if your a citizen don't try it!!

You should see how they alter the vehicles to smuggle people and/or drugs here. I will see if I can find photos and post them. One way for human smuggling is to remove the glove box stereo and other items in the way and hide a person in that area.