Over $2 Million in Stolen Vehicles Seized by the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force, HSI, and Albuquerque PD during Expansive Investigation

PHOENIX, June 27 -- The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued the following news release:

Two undercover operations across Arizona and New Mexico yielded 39 stolen vehicle recoveries, 22 arrests, weapons and drugs. The combined value of the stolen vehicles is estimated to be well over $2 million. Two of the suspects arrested worked for a third-party motor vehicle office.

On June 26, 2014, law enforcement officers executed 12 search warrants in Albuquerque, New Mexico with Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF) agents and detectives assisting to gather additional evidence for the Arizona-based investigation.

Two investigations were run simultaneously because authorities were tracking two criminal organizations in different states. The investigations were named "Operation VIN-a-Palooza" and "Operation Interstate GM." The investigative operations began in the Fall of 2013.

"VIN-a-Palooza" took place in New Mexico and was operated by the Albuquerque Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Authorities were responsible for tracking the actions of the New Mexico-based criminal organization headed by suspect Jose Alonso-Espinoza, 27. Alonso-Espinoza's crime group was responsible for stealing newer model GM vehicles and switching their vehicle identification numbers (VINs).

"Interstate GM" was operated by the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF) within Arizona and was responsible for tracking the actions of the Arizona based criminal organization. The organization was receiving the stolen GM vehicles from the New Mexico organization and selling them in Arizona.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) was instrumental to these investigations.

The Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF) is comprised of city, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies participating in a concerted effort to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals and criminal organizations that profit from the theft of motor vehicles and related crimes. The AVTTF provides a vital mission on behalf of the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority (AATA) to reduce vehicle theft in Arizona by deterring criminal activity through aggressive, proactive enforcement and by creating a public awareness through community education. Through continued grant funding from AATA, the AVTTF will continue to provide exemplary services to the citizens of the Arizona.

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