Carjackings targeting luxury vehicles across the United States are increasingly linked to an elaborate scheme where stolen cars are shipped overseas for profit, minimizing the risk of apprehension.
Washington D.C. has emerged as a central hub in this operation, experiencing the nation’s highest rate of vehicle theft in 2023, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The city’s carjacking rates were so severe that the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department launched an undercover initiative targeting a suspected ringleader.
The Alleged Ring:
Federal prosecutors accuse Cedae Hardy of orchestrating six separate carjackings with accomplices in Maryland and Washington, D.C. One incident resulted in the shooting of a victim multiple times. Authorities intercepted text messages between Hardy and an alleged co-conspirator discussing the theft of a Mercedes-Benz SL550. Just 22 minutes after an armed carjacking, Hardy arrived at a downtown parking garage; the vehicle was subsequently sold to an undercover officer for $1,200.
Hardy faces multiple felony charges and is implicated in another conspiracy ring linked to dozens of additional carjackings, including one that resulted in a victim’s death. His attorney declined to comment.
Scope of the Conspiracy:
Prosecutors allege Hardy, along with Keyonte Rice, Landrell Jordan III, and Malik Norman, conspired to steal vehicles and resell them or utilize them for further criminal activity. In one tragic instance, Hardy and Rice are accused of fatally shooting a 39-year-old man during a failed carjacking in Maryland, followed by the arson of the victim’s vehicle. Norman’s attorney maintains his client was merely in possession of stolen vehicles but not directly involved in any violence or theft. Attorneys for Rice and Jordan have yet to respond to requests for comment.
Between December 2022 and June 2023, prosecutors allege that Hardy and the other defendants committed a total of 33 carjackings.
A National Problem:
The surge in carjackings represents a dramatic increase from pre-pandemic levels, nearly quadrupling between 2020 and 2021. A recent takedown by federal and local authorities in New Jersey targeted a “major international carjacking and stolen car trafficking ring” that allegedly used force to steal luxury SUVs throughout the Northeast.
“The more we learn about the sophisticated pipeline between the supply and demand for stolen luxury cars, the better we can choke off that route and disrupt the flow,” stated Col. Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police.
Targeting Vulnerable Vehicles:
Carjackers are exploiting opportunities such as leaving vehicles running at car washes, valet stations, or airports. They then obtain electronic key fobs to facilitate resale and evade detection. Stolen cars are often moved to parking garages, residential backyards, or private storage areas before being transported onward.
Operation Jacked, a recent sting operation, recovered approximately 140 of the 160 vehicles targeted, with many found at ports in New York and New Jersey.
International Destination: West Africa
The majority of stolen vehicles are shipped to West Africa via shipping containers using falsified paperwork. This destination offers significantly higher profit margins than sales within the United States and faces minimal legal repercussions if caught possessing a U.S.-stolen vehicle there.
Interpol has intensified efforts to combat this trade by strengthening border checks, but tracking the full volume of vehicles entering the region remains challenging. Criminal networks in West Africa often involve traders, garage owners, mechanics, and even political figures who benefit from the sale of these vehicles, according to a 2022 report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Stolen vehicle registration can be obtained for as little as $2.50.
Juvenile Involvement:
In Washington D.C., nearly half (49%) of reported carjackings this year have been committed by juveniles, with most offenders residing within the local area. Law enforcement officials attribute this to the lighter penalties typically associated with juvenile offenses.
“Theft rings typically recruit younger people because they know if they do get caught, they will likely be sentenced as a minor, which has much less severe consequences for those who get caught,” explained attorney Andrew Stoltmann.
Technological Advancements:
Criminals are increasingly utilizing advanced techniques like RFID cloning disks and Flipper Zero devices to replicate key fob signals and tracking vehicles of interest.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports a 17% decrease in vehicle thefts, though figures remain above pre-pandemic levels. The NICB recommends parking in well-lit areas, avoiding leaving vehicles unattended while running, and promptly reporting any theft to law enforcement.
