WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — A Jackson man will spend years in prison after pleading to his role in a string of car thefts that hit FireKeepers Casino near Battle Creek and multiple dealerships in metro Grand Rapids, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General.
Josiah Capetillo, 24, was sentenced earlier this month to three to 20 years in prison for his role in the organization responsible for the thefts, the department announced Tuesday. He previously pleaded guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise.
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According to the AG’s office, in the summer of 2023, Capetillo participated in seven vehicle thefts from the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds, FireKeepers Casino and a number of dealerships in Wyoming, Rockford, Schoolcraft Township and Bay City. Initially, he was charged with seven counts of receiving/concealing a stolen motor vehicle, in addition to the charge of conducting a criminal enterprise to which he pleaded.
Authorities say Capetillo would sell stolen cars for profit. A second person — identified by the attorney general’s office as 24-year-old Brendan McClure of Jackson — would then dismantle the stolen cars and sell their parts, working out of a barn in the Marshall area, according to the office…