CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley announced Wednesday that 11 people have been indicted after allegedly stealing 86 cars from dealerships across Northeast Ohio.
“These individuals across 11 counties in our state broke into 26 auto dealerships, a total of 32 times. They stole 86 cars worth an estimated $5.1 million. They did this over a five-month period,” O’Malley.
All 11 of the suspects, who consistently targeted high-end automobile dealerships, are between the ages of 18-22 years old and are from the Cleveland area. Currently, nine of the 11 individuals are in custody, and law enforcement officials are working to arrest the other two.
Here are the 11 men indicted:
- Makilin Wilson, 20
- Rasheed Rountree, 21
- Kyer Allen, 19
- Dahmere Lymon, 19
- Willie Hicks, 22
- Ty’aun Williams, 20
- Theon Avery, 20
- Shaakir Maddox, 21
- Arthur Robinson, 21
- Laejuan Robinson, 18
- Cory Phillips, 18
The indictment includes a 142-count RICO case involving breaking and entering, grand theft of motor vehicles and other additional charges.
“This investigation remains ongoing, and there are other cars that were stolen that we are still trying to track and bring charges for, roughly about 40 more,” said O’Malley.
The full press conference can be watched below:
The incidents occurred across the following 11 counties between Nov. 2, 2022, to March 17, 2023.
- Cuyahoga - Seven dealerships in nine cities had 32 cars stolen with value of $1.56 million; in addition, two cars were stolen from three residences
- Lorain - One dealership had two cars stolen with value over $71,980
- Lake - Three dealerships in three different cities had seven cars stolen with value of $340,164
- Geauga - One dealership had three cars stolen with value of $218,710
- Medina - Two dealerships in two cities had five cars stolen with value of $423,475
- Wayne - Two dealerships in two cities had three cars stolen with value of $140,700
- Portage - One dealership had one car stolen worth $54,515
- Ashland - One dealership had one car stolen with value of $75,000
- Stark - Three dealerships in three cities had five cars stolen with value of $283,533
- Summit - Four dealerships in three cities had 24 cars stolen with value of $1.2 million
- Carroll - One dealership had one car stolen worth $92,997
A total of 34 local, state and federal agencies took part in the investigation.
With cooperation from all of the other counties, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office has elected to proceed with handling all the cases.
The suspects are facing the following charges as well as others:
- Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
- Conspiracy
- Aggravated theft
- Grand theft
- Breaking and entering
Notably, Wilson was charged with 58 counts of grand theft and 19 counts of breaking and entering. Roundtree was indicted on 38 counts of grand theft, Lymon was charged with 25 counts of grand theft, while Allen was charged with 19 counts of grand theft.
“The sophisticated yet simple method of operation, the tools these individuals used and had at their disposal, the communication within the group, and the frequency of the break-ins made it clear that these individuals are part of an organized crime ring,” said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Paul Hanna.
Hanna also noted that in several instances, the dealerships were cased by the suspects prior to the break-in.
Several of the stolen vehicles were used in violent crimes, including an assault on a police officer on Jan. 5 and a drive-by shooting on Feb. 12, 2023.
“Today is the first step in putting a stop to this criminal organization. The investigation continues, and we will hold all of those responsible accountable,” said Hanna,
Officials also mentioned that Deshaun Watson’s truck, which was stolen from the Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted, was one of the vehicles involved in the ring.
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