A major vehicle theft ring was recently dismantled, according to an announcement by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

“Operation Escalading Switch,” led by the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) to combat organized vehicle theft in the Phoenix metropolitan area, resulted in the recovery of 29 stolen vehicles valued at nearly $2.5 million, and the seizure of numerous items—including weapons and cash—linked to proceeds from a sophisticated criminal vehicle theft ring.

The investigation revealed the theft ring operated with alarming speed and efficiency, stealing high-end vehicles, altering vehicle identification numbers, and listing the vehicles on Turo—a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform—for rental by unsuspecting customers within as little as one week of the initial theft.

Profits from this ring have been tracked to accounts in the United States, Mexico, and the Middle East.