This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
HARVEY, La. (WGNO) – The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announced a massive auto theft ring operating in Metairie.
Sheriff Newell Normand said they noticed an increase in car thefts, attempted car thefts, and other car-related crimes in 2015.
Normand said Ford and Chevrolet/General Motors trucks and SUVs were targeted, leading investigators to believe a crew of professional thieves were behind the crimes.
Normand noted that most of the thefts were done during the night or early morning, done with little damage to the car itself, and without attracting a lot of attention.
Normand said 400 vehicles were stolen in the last two years, but he thinks the vehicle theft ring dates back to 2009.
After a years-long investigation, 10 people have been arrested and indicted on a number of charges ranging from racketeering to theft.
“We have arrested all these characters before, for similar type charges in their history,” Normand said at a press conference Friday. “This is the way that they support themselves, by going out and stealing people’s property.”
A majority of the defendants were residents of New Orleans.
Patrick Robinson Jr., Keith Nero, and Parrish Norris Some are still at large. The Louisiana State Police are working to locate these men. They are pictured below:
