Garland police say a months-long investigation has led to the arrest of five people accused of operating an organized vehicle theft crew responsible for at least 25 vehicle thefts and burglaries across Garland and surrounding cities. Police said the thefts resulted in more than $62,000 in stolen property.
The group is accused of stealing older model Chevrolet, GMC, and Dodge trucks and work vans, according to investigators.
Police said the suspects also sold the items inside the stolen vehicles.
The investigation began in November 2025 after officers responded to a burglary of a vehicle and theft of parts. Detectives say early evidence quickly connected suspects to additional cases.
“We looked into the suspects and immediately began noticing that these people were suspects in other crimes as well,” said Lieutenant Pedro Barineau, public information officer for the Garland Police Department.
Over the following months, investigators across multiple departments, including Criminal Investigations, Neighborhood Police Officers, and Gang Unit Investigators, all coordinated to track the group’s activity.
“They were able to identify a crew of at least five that were committing these crimes,” Barineau said.
Police say the group operated late at night and in the early morning. “They were not only stealing the vehicles, but they were stealing property inside the vehicles to sell them on social media and other avenues,” Barineau said.
Five suspects were arrested in early April and are now facing charges, including engaging in organized criminal activity, along with multiple counts of motor vehicle theft, burglary of vehicles, and theft of vehicle parts.
Police say the case highlights the importance of community involvement in stopping organized crime.
“The collaboration of our community is what can actually deter crime from occurring,” Barineau said