Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Massive Car Thefts Have Louisiana Connection

(Dallas, Texas) - Law enforcement officials have arrested three people linked to an organized crime ring stealing high-value vehicles from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, and they are also suspected of thefts in Louisiana along with other states. According to WFAA, a court affidavit describes the group as a "Cuban auto theft ring."

The three people arrested are accused of stealing 52 vehicles worth almost $5 million from the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports an ongoing investigation since February 2023. According to affidavits written by Dallas/Fort Worth Aiport Police Detective April Lee, when the three men were found in a vehicle at the airport, there were devices related to auto thefts.

What Methods Were The Accused Thieves Using To Steal The Vehicles?

Lee says they found the suspects possessing an Autel key programming device. This device can be used to clone a key fob, thus giving thieves entry into your vehicle. They also found many other equipment, like car unlocking tools, that they believed these guys used to steal the cards.

They were caught by the license plate reader at one of the terminal parking lots at DFW.

They believe the person running the organized car theft ring is Yoel Hernandez-Frometa, who has been arrested in several other states. The other two people arrested were Jose Antonio Perez-Rodriguez and Yainier Pinillo-Toro. MSN reports this ring has international ties as well.

What Happened To The Vehicles After They Were Stolen?

Allegations are that the men altered the VINs on the vehicles, put together bogus titles, and ultimately sold them to people in the U.S. Some of the cars were driven south of the border to Mexico.

According to MSN, when authorities noticed a rise in car thefts from the airport, an investigation was started. The DFW Airport released a statement this week,

Investigators with the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety remain in close contact with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt organized crime rings targeting airport parking facilities throughout the country. Due to the work of DFW Airport Police, the airport has seen a more than 40% reduction in car thefts from the terminal areas so far this year compared with 2023.

The investigation is ongoing in multiple states.