a couple worked a car theft scam across the Northeast, stealing or attempting to steal high-value cars and pickup trucks by relying on test drives, subtle distractions, and modern key technology to walk away with vehicles worth $2.4M across Ct, NY, and NJ

The investigation, led by the Old Saybrook Police Department, ultimately linked at least 20 vehicles to the same two-person operation.

According to police, the couple followed a consistent pattern when visiting dealerships. They would arrive posing as legitimate buyers, often asking to see or test-drive specific high-dollar trucks, like the Ford F-450 Super Duty. During those visits, investigators believe the male suspect either swapped the vehicle’s original key fob with a decoy or cloned it using the vehicle’s OBDII port, a process that can take less than a minute with the right equipment.

The woman allegedly played a key role in the distraction. In one documented case, police say she acted “playful” with a salesperson, drawing attention away from the vehicle while her partner started it or accessed the electronics. Once the key was cloned or swapped, the pair would leave without incident.

https://www.hotcars.com/police-24-million-vehicle-theft-ring-test-drives

Thank you Doug!