Arrests
Made, Several Vehicles Recovered in Honda Theft Ring
Richmond Police detectives
have made two arrests related to the recent spree of stolen Honda vehicles.
In the past three weeks,
25 Honda vehicles were reported stolen in several areas of Richmond. Detectives
have been investigating these thefts and determined there was a possibility of
a coordinated theft operation using electronic devices to clone key fobs of
certain Honda vehicles. Car doors were damaged to gain entry and the electronic
device allowed the vehicle engine to start.
In an effort to alert the
public, RPD posted information to social media, provided several interviews,
and featured the warning in the latest quarterly crime briefing last week. The
social media post is attached.
Through investigation, and
partially due to the use of a Flock automatic license plate reader near
Petersburg, detectives were able to track the stolen vehicles to that general
area. Detectives coordinated investigative efforts with Petersburg Police.
While RPD detectives continued
their investigations, they received a report of a Honda recently stolen, and
the vehicle owner reported an electronic tracking device was in the vehicle.
The owner mentioned he had seen the warnings to Honda owners from recent RPD
communications and added the tracking device to the car.
With more precise location
information, RPD detectives were able to observe several stolen Honda vehicles
in Petersburg and take two males into custody.
Detectives arrested Jhon
Alexander Jabier, 22, of Newark, New Jersey and Luiyi Munoz-Inoa, 33, of
Hazel Township, Pennsylvania and charged them both with grand larceny-auto
and conspiracy to commit larceny. Their booking photos are attached. Zero Honda
vehicles have been stolen from Richmond since these arrests.
RPD detectives on Friday located
a “chop shop” in the 2500 block of Deerfield Drive in Petersburg. A
search warrant was obtained and executed at the location. A large number of
Honda parts were recovered, including:
·
Approximately
35 doors;
·
Approximately
10 hoods;
·
Approximately
12 trunk lids;
·
Dozens
of Honda vehicle components, shrink wrapped;
·
Several Honda motors that have been
linked to recent stolen Hondas from Richmond, and other items.
Within the past month, the
Philadelphia Police Department announced the discovery of a large “chop shop”
operation related to Honda vehicles. This operation separates components
of a vehicle for shipment overseas or for other uses. RPD detectives are
investigating a potential link to these operations outside of the Richmond
area. Several vehicles stolen from New York State were located in the Petersburg
location.
Five of the vehicles
reported stolen in Richmond have been recovered and returned to the owners. Components
from five other vehicles stolen from Richmond were found at the location during
the search. The investigation continues.
Jhon Alexander Jabier
Luiyi Munoz-Inoa
