When local police, the FBI, and the IRS on a suspicious string of Milwaukee car thefts in 2019, no one could have guessed what a huge crime ring they’d uncover. “Operation Strike Out” has charged 23 suspects across the country with stealing cars, swapping VINs, transporting them to sell them or trade them for drugs, trafficking drugs, and even stealing innocent people’s identities.
Milwaukee Sheriff Denita R. Bail put it succinctly. “This group took advantage of innocent people and turned lives upside down. Their actions were calculated and callous.”
Jason Bushey, Acting Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Chicago Field Office added a warning. “If you build your enterprise on fraud and deception, we will find you, we will expose you, and we will hold you accountable.” But finding al the car theft crime ring’s members was no easy task. Their addresses range from Delaware to North Dakota…