Car theft is a significant problem worldwide. However, this issue goes further than most people realize, as car thieves don’t always act alone. Recently, several of what many would call the best luxury cars went missing at the DFW airport. It’s now known that a Houston-based organized crime ring is responsible for the thefts, as it has been in multiple other states. 

The best luxury cars are often targets for car theft

Several people fly commercially each year and leave their cars at the airport. However, most people don’t assume they’ll fall victim to car theft. According to WFAA, 52 car thefts recently occurred at the Dallas Fort Worth airport. In total, the thieves have stolen $5 million worth of vehicles. Because of this, cars have an average individual value of around $100,000. 

So, who is responsible for the concerning trend of car theft at the DFW airport? A Houston-based organized crime ring is responsible, and official documents call it a “Cuban auto theft group.” Sadly, this group is active in other states, including Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Like many car thieves, they steal the vehicles using special devices. Specifically, the devices reprogram vehicle fobs. 

Of course, this group’s car thefts are often international. It’s being accused of changing the cars’ ID numbers and obtaining illegal titles before shipping them off to Mexico. This group has been under investigation since February, and there are said to be 14 members. Three of those members have already been arrested. 

Regarding these instances of car theft, a spokesperson for the DFW airport said, “While there is an ongoing investigation and pending prosecution, investigators with the DFW Airport Department of Public Safety remain in close contact with peer local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to identify and disrupt organized crime rings targeting airport parking facilities throughout the country. Due to the work of DFW Airport police, the airport has seen a more than 40-percent reduction in car thefts from the terminal areas so far this year compared with 2023.”