Two Yonkers residents are among 13 people federal prosecutors say ran a sophisticated stolen-car trafficking ring that quietly moved roughly 100 stolen vehicles worth millions of dollars to unsuspecting buyers. According to court filings, the scheme ran from about June 2024 through May 2026 and leaned on swapped or falsified vehicle identification numbers, forged titles, and manufactured maintenance histories to make hot cars look squeaky clean. Nine people have been arrested so far, and several were presented in Manhattan federal court as the investigation rolls on.
As laid out by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, an indictment unsealed June 8 charges all 13 defendants with conspiracy to possess and sell stolen vehicles, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and wire fraud. Prosecutors say the defendants acquired about 100 stolen vehicles worth millions, and that the stolen-vehicle conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while each wire-fraud count carries up to 20 years. Nine defendants were arrested, and seven of them were presented in Manhattan federal court, according to the office.
Local reporting identifies the two Hudson Valley defendants as Paula Abad Diaz, 35, also known as "Mayi," and Marlin Segura Martinez, 35, also known as "Marlin Perez," both of Yonkers. As reported by Daily Voice, other defendants are from the Bronx and the Dominican Republic, and investigators say the operation generated "huge" illegal profits. The network’s reach into Westchester highlights how a New York City stolen-vehicle ring can easily spill into nearby suburbs.
How Prosecutors Say The Ring Worked
Federal filings describe a layered laundering process for the cars. Thieves allegedly stole vehicles in New York City, then other conspirators covered or replaced VINs and swapped out federal certification labels so the cars could clear inspections under new identities. According to the indictment, the group then created fraudulent titles, brought cars to maintenance shops to generate bogus service records, and advertised the vehicles on online marketplaces before completing sales to buyers who believed they were getting legitimate used cars. Prosecutors say the investigation was led by the NYPD Auto Crime Division Major Case Team and Homeland Security Investigations' New York Seaport Trade Group. U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York provided the indictment and additional details.
Hudson Valley And Bronx Ties
Although many of the defendants are linked to the Bronx, the inclusion of two Yonkers residents turns this into a very local story for Hudson Valley readers. Daily Voice reported that one defendant was arrested in Western New York and detained, while others were presented in Manhattan federal court. Federal prosecutors and local law enforcement say the investigation is still active, and upcoming court filings are expected to outline the next steps in the case.
What Buyers Should Check
Anyone who has recently bought a used car from a private seller would be wise to double check the paperwork. Run the vehicle’s VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s free VINCheck tool, order a vehicle-history report, and look closely at the title for sudden out-of-state transfers or branding that might hint at fraud. The VINCheck service from the National Insurance Crime Bureau can show whether a vehicle has been reported stolen or declared a total loss by insurers and is a useful first step for private-party buyers. If a VIN comes back as stolen or the documents look altered, authorities say you should contact local law enforcement before finishing any deal.
What To Watch Next
The case is being handled in Manhattan federal court by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York, and upcoming court appearances and filings will determine whether and how the charges move forward. Authorities say they intend to keep pursuing any co-conspirators and are urging anyone with information about suspicious used-car sales to come forward. For now, the indictment shines a spotlight on how organized auto-theft rings can extend into suburbs and online marketplaces, and on the risks facing buyers who do not take the time to verify a vehicle’s past.
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