POLICE Department
HPD, Partner Agencies Bust Organized Crime Ring
June 28, 2016 - Charges have been filed against 130 suspects arrested involved in an organized crime ring that committed thefts, and property crimes in Houston and surrounding areas.
Photos of the 76 HPD suspects can be viewed on the HPD flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/houstonpolice/albums/72157669710631032
An HPD undercover operation was conducted in April 2015 at the Port of Houston involving the purchase of stolen items. During that operation, information was developed indicating the Pasadena Police Department was also conducting investigations involving the same suspects. Around the same time, the HPD Burglary and Theft Division was conducting an investigation into a large theft involving a small business's entire inventory of motorcycle apparel and accessories. A large criminal group targeted big ticket items, usually transported via large trailers, and would steal the trailer and its contents.
Further investigation by the Harris County District Attorney's Office determined several divisions in HPD, as well as other local law enforcement agencies, were dealing with the same group of suspects.
In a coordinated effort, the HPD Criminal Intelligence, Burglary and Theft, Auto Theft, Narcotics and Eastside Patrol Divisions, as well as the Pasadena Police Department, Baytown Police Department, Department of Public Safety and the Department of Homeland Security collaborated in the investigation. To date, more than 200 charges have been filed and 130 suspects have been arrested (approximately 80 of those by HPD) in "Operation Wheels and Deals."
The collaborative investigation is continuing with more arrests expected.
.VHS/DBE/JFC 6-28-16
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
