Auto Theft

An investigation into an auto theft ring started in Southwest Florida in 2022 culminated this week with the arrests of six people in TampaThe Florida Department of Law Enforcement and representatives from the Tampa International Airport Police Department (TPAPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) announced the arrests as part of an investigation into an auto theft ring.

A federal grand jury indictment names Michel Serrano of Lehigh Acres as one of three men alleged to be part of a major Florida theft ring targeting vehicles including premium pickups, high-end Jeep models and luxury brands such as the Infiniti.The 34-year-old Serrano faces charges of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles and the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles, as well as two counts of interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted on all counts, Serrano faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The indictment described Serrano as registered agent, president and treasurer of Serrano Trucks Corp. of Lehigh Acres. The Florida Division of Corporations lists the company as inactive.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement FDLE, along with Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP), Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) announced the results of Operation Gone in 60 Days Monday at a press conference held at FDLE’s Tampa Regional Operations Center.

Nearly 500 felony arrests for juvenile auto theft, more than one arrest per day. Nearly two-thirds of all auto arrests for kid under the age of 18. Even…