The search for a stolen pickup carrying stoves and refrigerators led Dallas police last week to arrest four people who are accused of stealing several vehicles and dismantling them for parts, court records show.
The suspects were arrested in connection with an auto theft ring, where police believe the group was stealing vehicles, taking the parts and then selling them, according to arrest warrant affidavits.
On Oct. 14, Dallas police received a report of a stolen pickup truck with a trailer attached carrying three stoves and nine refrigerators, according to court records.
On Oct. 22, the Apple AirTag inside the stolen pickup started “pinging” in the backyard of an address in the 1100 block of Haymarket Road, according to the affidavit.
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When police arrived at a nearby address, they said in the court records that they looked over a fence and saw the stolen pickup truck, as well as four people getting out of another truck.
As the group loaded a black loading gate, similar to a “Tommy Gate,” into their truck, police said they approached the group and detained them.
The Dallas Police Auto Theft unit determined the suspects had been using the backyard as a location to dismantle vehicles and later sell the parts elsewhere, according to the affidavit.
Police suspect the group was working together and in charge of the dismantling operation, where they “revived a large number of profits coming from the illegal activity,” according to the affidavit.
It was also mentioned by police in the affidavit that the group was preparing to sell the loading gate they were seen with on the black market.
As of Sunday, the four suspects were booked in the Dallas County jail. Police identified the suspects as:
- Maria Vela, 38. She faces a theft of property charge and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
- Omar Vazquez, 36. He faces a theft of property charge and is being held on a $10,000 bond.
- Irvi Castro, 39. He faces a theft of property charge and is being held on a $7,500 bond.
- Juan Mares, 30. He faces a theft of property charge. A bond has not been set.