The Rhode Island State Police has announced the arrest of six individuals following a lengthy investigation conducted by the Rhode Island Auto Theft Task Force into an alleged motor vehicle theft ring and chop shop operation.
The Rhode Island Auto Theft Task Force initiated the investigation in October 2025 after inspecting a motor vehicle with irregularities indicating it had been stolen. Further investigation led to the identification of a subject who had initiated registration proceedings for similar vehicles and was known to frequent an address suspected of being a chop shop. A court-authorized search warrant executed at the alleged chop shop resulted in the discovery of VIN-altering tools, stolen vehicle equipment, and a stolen motor vehicle.
On Tuesday, members of the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau executed six arrest warrants and a search warrant, during which additional stolen vehicle equipment was seized. Over the course of the investigation, members recovered six stolen motor vehicles, all of which had been taken in Rhode Island and neighboring New England states, with a total estimated value of approximately $500,000. The investigation is ongoing…