Secret garage with 72 luxury cars is found in the USA — there was a Rolls-Royce worth R$ 2,73 million and vehicles from brands such as BMW and Audi

Secret garage with 72 luxury cars is found in the US — there was a Rolls-Royce worth R$2,73 million and vehicles from brands such as BMW and Audi

Written by Romario Pereira of Carvalho

Published 07/05/2025 às 15:11

Illustrative image similar to the one released: IA

Million-dollar scheme to resell stolen luxury cars was dismantled in New York; 72 vehicles were found in a garage used as a clandestine store

A police operation in the United States has uncovered a multimillion-dollar scheme involving the theft and resale of luxury cars. In total, 72 high-end vehicles were found in a garage in the Bronx, New York. vehicles had been stolen from homes in various parts of New Jersey and were being sold illegally.

Garage operated as an illegal car shop

The discovery came during “Operation High Rollers,” a nine-month investigation that saw authorities track suspicious containers to ports in New Jersey and New York, leading to the location of the garage in the Longwood neighborhood, about 16 miles from Manhattan.

At the location, in addition to the vehicles, boxes were found that revealed more details about the scheme. The garage served as a kind of clandestine dealership. According to prosecutors, interested buyers would go to the location, evaluate the cars and pay in cash.

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Export to Africa

When the vehicles were not sold locally, the parties involved shipped the cars in containers to countries such as Ghana and Gambia. Authorities say this was one way to dispose of vehicles that were not sold in the US market.

Luxury brand vehicles

Among the 72 vehicles recovered are models from brands such as BMW, Audi and Rolls-Royce. One of the highlights is a Rolls-Royce valued at US$ 475.000. Also found were several BMW X7s, a 5 BMW X2024 worth US$ 89.000 and a 8 Audi SQ2021.

According to Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark, the total value of the recovered vehicles is about $6,6 million, approximately R$37,9 million. In New Jersey alone, 43 cars were stolen, with an estimated value of $3,6 million.

Criminals broke into homes to steal keychains

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin explained that criminals were breaking into homes with the aim of stealing electronic key fobs from cars.

According to him, this made the crime even more dangerous.”Breaking into homes to steal electronic keys and facilitate vehicle theft adds a new layer of danger to car theft”, declared Platkin.

Despite the seriousness of the case, Platkin said that car thefts in New Jersey have decreased in the last year and will continue to decline through 2025. He reinforced the authorities' commitment to maintaining this downward trend.

Eleven defendants and more than 130 crimes

So far, eleven people have been formally charged in connection with the scheme. They face more than 130 criminal charges. All defendants have been charged with first-degree racketeering, a crime that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $500.000 fine.

Additionally, they are subject to New Jersey's No Early Release Act, which means that convicts will have to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before they are eligible for parole.

Garage hid crime in broad daylight

The Longwood garage served as a showcase for stolen cars. Even in broad daylight, illegal business was conducted there. Unsold vehicles were taken to ports in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Staten Island, where they were shipped out of the country.

So far, the Bronx district attorney has not commented publicly on the next steps in the investigation.

With information from The Sun.

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Secret garage with 72 luxury cars is found in the US — there was a Rolls-Royce worth R$2,73 million and vehicles from brands such as BMW and Audi