PHILADELPHIA, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the arrest this week of three Philadelphia men and a juvenile implicated in a sophisticated vehicle theft operation. This development serves as a pivotal reminder for vehicle owners to remain vigilant in securing their automobiles against modern theft techniques.
The accused, identified as Tyreek Brown-Lopez, 19, Kaheem Henry, 20, and Kwadir Brockington, 21, face charges including theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, and unauthorized use of an automobile. The juvenile involved will have their case processed in Juvenile Court. The operation, which allegedly involved the use of cloned key fobs to surreptitiously access and steal vehicles, highlights the evolving nexus between technology and crime.
“These defendants used technology to their advantage to allegedly access and steal numerous vehicles in the Philadelphia area,” stated Attorney General Henry, underscoring the urgent need for vehicle owners to adopt proactive security measures. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, aligning with the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force, assures a rigorous prosecution led by Assistant District Attorneys tasked with addressing gun violence.
The investigation, initially aimed at firearms, unveiled the alleged car theft ring with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department. The accused reportedly targeted Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep models, often resorting to breaking sunroofs to deploy their cloned key fobs. Law enforcement interventions culminated in the apprehension of Henry, Brockington, and the juvenile in a stolen 2023 Dodge Hellcat SRT SUV. Concurrent searches led to the discovery of firearms and key fob programming equipment at Brockington’s residence.
Similarly, Brown-Lopez was apprehended in proximity to a stolen Chrysler 300, complete with a cloned key fob and incriminating equipment. The investigation into associated firearms remains active, underscoring the multifaceted nature of the ongoing inquiries.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for September 17 for Henry and Brockington, while Brown-Lopez’s hearing is slated for September 24. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, through its Gun Violence Task Force, spearheads the prosecution, emphasizing that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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