Two arrested in motor vehicle theft ring

LYNN – Law enforcement officials announced Tuesday that a three-year investigation into a massive motor vehicle theft ring that began in Lynn culminated in two arrests Jan. 16 in Springfield.The investigation has determined that suspects used multiple schemes to buy vehicles, including several motorcycles, from dealerships in Everett, Danvers, North Reading and Manchester, N.H.Pedro Soto, 43, formerly of Lynn, was arrested on larceny by false pretenses and receiving stolen vehicle charges when police raided his Springfield home.Justin Santos, 19, of Springfield, was arrested on outstanding warrants and unrelated motor vehicle violations when he was seen leaving the home, police said.In the raid, police confiscated a 2007 Harley Davidson FLHTC, a 2007 Suzuki GSXR600 and a 2003 Honda VT750 that were stolen from an Everett motorcycle dealership. State Police troopers assigned to the Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force, Lynn police, Springfield police and a Secret Service agent carried out the search warrant.Four other unidentified defendants associated with the ring have been previously arrested and are facing prosecution in state and federal courts, authorities said.The investigation has resulted in the recovery of 25 stolen vehicles after police executed five search warrants, authorities said.Members of the ring allegedly used identity theft or bank fraud to obtain the vehicles.Under one scheme, the suspects allegedly secured loans through dealerships or banks to purchase vehicles then obtain duplicate titles. Once they obtained the duplicate title, they would resell the vehicle, pocket the cash and allegedly walk away from the loan. By the time the banks realized the loans were in default and tried to repossess the vehicle, it had already been re-titled in the name of the new owner, authorities said.The investigative team first raided a home on Lawrence Road in Lynn in April 2006, seizing three stolen motor vehicles and numerous documents and financial instruments related to the fraudulent schemes. In May 2007, another search warrant executed at the home resulted in the recovery of additional evidence. As a result of the searches investigators identified alleged participants in the stolen vehicle ring, authorities said.The investigation into the stolen motor vehicle ring continues and law enforcement officials ask that anyone with information about the theft ring, or who believes he or she may have been victimized by the ring call the Massachusetts State Police Governor’s Auto Theft Strike Force at 1-800-HOT-AUTO.