News Summary
In a troubling incident, a family in north Charlotte had their 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat stolen from their home. The theft, suspected to have involved cloned key fobs, highlights a rising trend of luxury car thefts in the city. Charlotte police are investigating this and other high-end vehicle thefts, as federal prosecutors have charged multiple individuals involved in similar crimes. The city’s initiative, Operation SCARLET, aims to recover stolen cars and combat this growing issue, which affects both individual owners and community safety.
Charlotte – In a concerning trend for luxury vehicle owners, a family in north Charlotte reported that their 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat was stolen from in front of their home on July 12. Charlotte police are actively investigating the theft, which was documented in a recent police report. The theft highlights the growing issue of high-end auto thefts in the city.
Candace Stanley, a family member, suspects that their vehicle was targeted specifically, believing that the thieves may have followed them home. She indicated that the suspected thieves might have cloned a key fob to facilitate the quick getaway. The family only discovered the car was missing the following morning, noting that the theft occurred in a matter of minutes.
The emotional toll of the incident has been significant for the Stanley family, who expressed disappointment over the loss, emphasizing the time and investment they made in customizing their supercharged sports car. Following the theft, the family is asking the public for help in locating their stolen Dodge Charger, urging anyone who sees the vehicle to report it to the Charlotte police.
Since the beginning of 2023, federal prosecutors in Charlotte have brought charges against at least a dozen individuals involved in high-end auto thefts, where luxury cars have been stolen and shipped across state lines. In June, three Charlotte men were charged for utilizing key fob programmers to steal luxury vehicles for transport to other locations.
Operation SCARLET, an initiative launched by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, is focused on recovering stolen vehicles. The task force has successfully recovered 132 stolen cars, valued at over $11 million, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across 11 states. The operation has identified various tactics used by car thieves, including posing as customers, swapping key fobs, and executing “smash and grab” thefts at dealerships.
The complex nature of these car thefts often results in thieves stealing multiple vehicles, leading to widespread financial losses for owners and dealerships. To avoid detection, these criminals have been known to remove GPS systems, use counterfeit license plates, and alter vehicle identification numbers (VINs) before reselling the stolen vehicles at significantly reduced prices.
A recent indictment unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice unveiled a luxury car theft ring consisting of three Charlotte men. They are accused of stealing over $5 million worth of vehicles from various states. The individuals, Aquanzae Jamal Switzer, Da’Quante Antwone Banks, and Trajan Dakiel Mack, are facing multiple charges related to both conspiracy and possession of stolen vehicles.
This indictment highlighted a major incident where the trio allegedly stole 12 vehicles from a single dealership in Lillington, North Carolina, from 2022 to April 2024. Their daring thefts employed advanced methods to stay beneath the law enforcement radar.
The penalties for those charged in connection with these crimes can be severe; individuals face up to five years in prison for conspiracy charges and up to ten years for each count of possession and transportation of stolen vehicles, should they be convicted. This case marks the sixth indictment related to organized vehicle thefts in the Charlotte area since 2023, illustrating a concerted effort by federal authorities to combat this surprising epidemic.
The impact of these thefts extends beyond individual families, affecting community safety and trust. As luxury vehicle thefts continue to rise, both law enforcement and communities are working diligently to address this growing concern, reinforcing the importance of vigilance among residents and potential vehicle owners.
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Additional Resources
- QC News: Charlotte Men Indicted for Theft of Luxury Vehicles
- Wikipedia: Auto Theft
- WBTV: Charlotte Police Report on Vehicle Thefts
- Google Search: Luxury Vehicle Thefts Charlotte
- Hoodline: Charlotte Trio Indicted for Car Theft Scheme
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle Theft
- ABC 11: DoorDash Driver Charged in Car Theft Incident
- Google News: Charlotte Car Theft
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
