SECRETARY OF STATE POLICE ARREST SUSPECTED CAR THIEVES, RECOVER STOLEN VEHICLES By SECRETARY OF STATE GEORGE H. RYAN

A major undercover auto theft investigation by Secretary of State Police recently led to 18 arrests and the recovery of nearly $175,000 worth of vehicles stolen from Springfield new and used car dealerships and from private owners.

Whether a car is ripped off from a dealer's lot or from somebody's driveway, it results in higher car prices, higher insurance rates and a higher crime rate for everybody.

The prevention of auto theft is one of the primary enforcement objectives of the Secretary of State Police. We have sting operations like this one in place all over the state for the sole purpose of catching thieves and recovering vehicles.

In the above 14-month sting, known as "Operation Gang Ride," undercover SOS auto theft investigators posed as "chop shop" operators from Southern Illinois. They operated without a fixed location, using pagers and cellular telephones to communicate with street gangs suspected of stealing vehicles from Springfield auto dealers.

Investigators met with the auto thieves to arrange for delivery of the stolen vehicles. The thieves didn't mind selling the cars at a sharp discount. Our undercover officers paid $400 for a brand-new 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a sticker price of nearly $16,000. They paid top dollar — $700 — for a Jeep Cherokee valued at nearly $20,000.

At one point, it was learned that the subjects had sold the page number to other individuals who wished to unload vehicles they had stolen. As new subjects contacted the investigators, more "buys" were made. In all, undercover investigators paid $7,600 to recover 17 vehicles worth more than $175,000 — about 4 cents on the dollar.

During the course of the investigation, information became available about illegal drugs, possible stolen weapons, and burglaries. The Springfield Police Department, the Appellate Prosecutor's office and the Sangamon County Sheriff's office were asked to assist, and they provided manpower and intelligence.

Secretary of State Police also were assisted in the investigation by the Sangamon County State's Attorney's office. This case is an excellent example of cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies.

Indicted in the operation were 13 adults and five juveniles, all from Sangamon County. The indictments included a total of 104 felony counts, ranging in severity from possession of a stolen motor vehicle to aggravated unlawful sale of a stolen police vehicle. The most serious charges could result in prison terms of up to 15 years.

SOS Police Auto Theft Units

The Secretary of State's Department of Police has 17 auto theft investigators in its Special Services and Investigation Division. Investigators operate out of auto theft units in Chicago, Rockford, Springfield and the East St. Louis area.

All units undertake covert and overt operations to follow known auto thieves, provide surveillance of suspected "chop shops" and infiltrate organized auto theft rings during undercover operations.

Since taking office, I have made a concerted effort to break up major theft rings and arrest auto thieves. Last year, my office recovered a total of 174 stolen vehicles with a street value of nearly $1.9 million. To date in 1993, the office has recovered 125 stolen vehicles with a street value of nearly $1.4 million.

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While this most recent investigation was successful, vehicle thefts continue to take place. But as the efforts of our SOS Police indicate, we are making progress in fighting this crime.

Any municipal official who needs assistance with an auto theft investigation may write to Giacomo A. Pecoraro, Director, Secretary of State Police, 324 W.Monroe St., Springfield, IL 62756, or call 217/785-1691. •

September 1993 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 23