Metro

Cuomo announces busts in Bx-based theft ring shipped cars overseas

A sophisticated crew of Bronx car thieves who stole hundreds of luxury autos for clients who placed custom orders based on make, model, color and even stereo system, was dismantled today, according to a federal indictment.

The ring used high-tech computerized gadgets and dealership insiders to jack about 450 cars in the past year, with most of the hot orders shipped in containers under a fake manifest to Senegal.

The cars would be hidden under furniture for the journey the homeland of alleged ringleader Babacar Lo, AKA “Bobby” and his right hand man, Ibrahime Sall, AKA “Raheem.”

Among the 17 men who were busted in a sweeping joint federal, state and city law enforcement sting, were two car dealers from Toyota Greenwich in Connecticut and the Glen Toyota in New Jersey.

After the ring took an order, a “steal crew” would locate the right car, which ranged from mostly Toyotas to Mercedes to Range Rovers and Rav 4’s and obtain the individual VIN number off the dashboard.

Since most car keys are chipped with a security code, the thieves obtained a substitute key from an inside man in a dealership.

Some of the cars were stolen off a car lot, others were jacked from the street or garages, where they workers on the payroll.

The crew also used a computer device that could unlock the car and start it.

“They would then fill the order by locating the car either on a public street in parking lots and even in dealerships,” according to the indictment.

One of the crewmembers was also a locksmith.

Some of the high-end cars were also sold in New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Texas.

After the car was stolen they would be “laid up” in a garage for a few days. Any Lo Jack or anti-theft device would be dismantled.

“This is a big case for us. Auto theft was one time a plague in New York City, it is much less of an issue today because of arrests like this,” said State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

” If you are thinking about stealing a car in New York City, don’t even think about it.”

Cuomo said Grand larceny Auto has been reduced by 40 per cent in the past nine years.