US EditionAfter stolen cars from DC ended up in Africa, 6 charged in vehicle-theft ring
- On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and D.C. officials announced the indictment of six suspects in an international theft ring accused of stealing over 100 vehicles from the District and shipping them to Africa for profit.
- Investigators claim suspects used "Autel" devices to reprogram vehicle systems in under 60 seconds without keys. Stolen cars were loaded into shipping containers labeled "as furniture" to evade scrutiny at ports in Savannah, Georgia, and Baltimore, Maryland.
- Officials identified more than 20 stolen vehicles worth nearly $1 million in the indictment. The ring's suspected total impact spans over 100 thefts in the District and more than 30 in Prince George's County, Maryland, valued at up to $4 million.
- Five of the six indicted suspects—including Jacob Hernandez and Dustin Wetzel—were arrested earlier this week, with one remaining at large. The group faces 15 federal charges including conspiracy to possess and transport stolen motor vehicles.
- Interim D.C. Police Chief Jeffery Carroll advised vehicle owners to use steering wheel locks and Faraday bags to prevent key-cloning attacks. The suspects account for approximately 20% of all motor vehicle thefts in the District this year, police said.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Six people have been arrested and charged with planning the theft of at least 20 cars in the Washington, D.C. area to be sold to buyers in the United States and Ghana, West Africa, according to a federal accusation made public on Wednesday.
"Gone In 60 Seconds": Feds Uncover DC-Area International Car Theft Ring
"Gone In 60 Seconds": Feds Uncover DC-Area International Car Theft Ring Authored by Jill McLaughlin via The Epoch Times, Federal authorities in the Washington area have uncovered an alleged international vehicle theft ring involving six people suspected of stealing cars and shipping them to Africa, where they are sold for top dollar. Six people were charged on April 22 in connection with their roles in the alleged scheme. A 15-count federal indi…
After stolen cars from DC ended up in Africa, 6 charged in vehicle-theft ring
Six people have been arrested and charged with plotting to steal at least 20 cars from the D.C. area and sell them to buyers in the U.S. and Ghana in West Africa, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday. Jacob Hernandez, 29, of Los Angeles; Khobe David, 24, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; Dustin Wetzel, 23, of Woodbridge, Virginia; Chance Clark, 25, of Waldorf, Maryland; James Young, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland; and a sixth person who…
How an international theft ring used tech to steal 100 cars in DC area
An international car theft ring stole more than 100 vehicles from the D.C. area using technology available for purchase online, prosecutors say. Federal and local law enforcement officials announced the indictment of six men who they say were shipping stolen cars to as far as Africa. “In the dead of night, crews strike the streets in Washington, D.C.; in Maryland...
Feds Uncover DC-Area International Car Theft Ring
Federal authorities in the Washington area have uncovered an alleged international vehicle theft ring involving six people suspected of stealing cars and shipping them to Africa, where they are sold for top dollar. Six people were charged on April 22 in connection with their roles in the alleged scheme. A 15-count federal indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, charging the defendants with conspiracy to steal…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
