Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrests of three Philadelphia men and a juvenile charged in a vehicle-theft ring, and advises vehicle owners to always be vigilant in securing their cars so they are not vulnerable to theft.
The charged defendants allegedly entered vehicles, and, using cloned key fobs that were re-programmed, stole the vehicles. Investigators allege dozens of vehicles were stolen and sold, often for as little as $200 each.
Tyreek Brown-Lopez, 19, Kaheem Henry, 20, Kwadir Brockington, 21, are charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, and unauthorized use of an automobile. The juvenile will be prosecuted in Juvenile Court.
“These defendants used technology to their advantage to allegedly access and steal numerous vehicles in the Philadelphia area,” Attorney General Henry said. “I strongly urge vehicle owners to be vigilant and take proactive measures to secure their vehicles.”
“The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is proud of the investigative work of our partner agents with the Office of Attorney General. The matter will be vigorously prosecuted by the Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Gun Violence Task Force,” said William Fritze, Chief of Gun Violence Task Force for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.
The Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force was assisted by the Philadelphia Police Department. The Task Force uncovered the car theft ring during a firearms investigation. The defendants allegedly targeted Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles, typically breaking sunroofs to access and program cloned key fobs.
Henry, Brockington, and a juvenile were arrested in a stolen 2023 Dodge Hellcat SRT SUV. A search of Brockington’s home revealed a Glock handgun, a rifle, ammunition, and equipment for programming key fobs.
Tyreek Brown-Lopez was arrested near a stolen Chrysler 300 with a broken sunroof. Brown-Lopez was found with a cloned key fob for the stolen vehicle. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a ghost gun and key fob programming equipment.
An investigation regarding the firearms is ongoing.
Brown-Lopez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 24. Henry and Brockington are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 17.
This case is being prosecuted by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office Gun Violence Task Force. The defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Original source can be found here.