Gypsy Car Theft Ring

Sep 20, 2005 6:35 pm US/Pacific

'Gypsy' Car Theft Ring Hit South Bay Dealers Hard -SAN JOSE (Bay City News) ― CBS




{Beginning a year ago, a group of self-proclaimed "gypsies" struck several South Bay car dealers using false identities and financial information to steal at least 113 vehicles, authorities announced at a news conference Tuesday.

Approximately 25 people have been arrested and police are seeking more than 50 additional suspects as part of a scam that lasted from August 2004 until approximately early February of this year, according to San Jose Police Lt. Vaughn Edwards, head of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force.

"The suspects were self proclaimed gypsies," Edwards said. "They were all connected either by family or some other connection."

Gypsies from across the country came to the San Jose area to participate in the scam after it was posted on an Internet chat room used by gypsies, according to Edwards.

"There is in fact a pretty good communication network via the Internet," Edwards said. "It's a very close knit group."}

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