FLORIDA — Three men have been arrested in connection with a multi-state vehicle theft ring that operated out of a chop shop in Hillsborough County, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the suspects targeted high-end vehicles from dealerships, auctions and recent buyers across Florida and other states between December and March. Authorities estimate the stolen vehicles were worth about $388,000.
The suspects — identified as Javier Penate Berbe, Yoan Gonzalez Solorzano and Christien Ravi Bisnath — allegedly transported the stolen vehicles to a chop shop in Riverview. There, deputies say the vehicles were dismantled for parts, sold, or altered using fraudulent VIN numbers to hide their identities before being resold.
Detectives located the chop shop and shut down the operation, recovering several vehicles, including GMC Yukons, Cadillac Escalades and a Dodge Charger.
All three men are facing multiple felony charges, including grand theft and operating a chop shop.
The investigation remains ongoing.
