Cops bust up Florida car theft ring that stole high-end cars from Florida dealerships with reprogrammed keys

A high-tech auto-theft ring led by two brothers allegedly used a key-fob programmer to steal $2.5 million worth of pricey vehicles from dealerships throughout the Sunshine State, cops said.

Authorities had been investigating the crew — which allegedly jacked 30 new cars from 20 lots in 11 counties — since its spree began in mid-March, according to a statement from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

“While they operated fast, they didn’t have enough gas to outrun the law,” Ashley Moody, the state’s attorney general, said in the statement.

“And now that [the Sheriff’s Office] has put the brakes on their operation — my Statewide Prosecutors will ensure they pay for their multimillion dollar crime spree.”

Dubbed “Operation Family Affair,” the investigation centered on Rafael Garcia, 21, and his brother, Christion Garcia, 16 — both of whom already have lengthy criminal records, the sheriff’s office said.

The dirty duo and their crew would find a dealership and pick a car — usually an expensive, high-end model such as a Dodge Charger or Challenger Hellcat; Chevrolet Corvette or Camaro; or a Jeep Trailhawk, authorities said.

Then they’d smash a window or a sunroof, climb inside and use the programmer to create a new key for each car, according to the office.

Afterward, they’d drive the car to a storage unit so it could be sold to a buyer or stripped for parts, according to Sheriff Chad Chronister.

Last Wednesday, authorities collared the Garcia brothers and their crew — Bisma Fayyaz Sial, age 22; Adriel Fabian Mendez Arroyo, 17; and Enzo Prado Oliveira, 18, authorities said.

The suspects have been hit with a slew of offenses, including grand theft motor vehicle, conspiracy and federal racketeering charges.

Deputies are still searching for one suspect, whom the sheriff did not identified.

“The work of our Auto Theft Unit, alongside our partners throughout the state, sends a loud and resounding message: there is no place for vehicle theft in Florida,” Chronister said in a statement. 

“These individuals not only conspired to commit a continuous pattern of crime but were deriving substantial profits from their activity,” he continued.

“Our detectives and deputies conducted a thorough investigation and held these criminals accountable for their actions.”