Sheriff’s officials in St. Lucie and Indian River counties are investigating what they said is a vehicle cloning operation, searching at least four addresses and making three arrests, according to the agencies June 18.
The investigation began in St. Lucie County, where sheriff’s officials reported arresting two people June 17 and investigating a business identified as Drizzle Drip & Dash Mobile Detailing LLC. The principal address of the business is in the 5400 block of Northwest Crooked Street in Port St. Lucie, according to state records.
St. Lucie Sheriff’s officials reported executing a search warrant June 17 at a home in Port St. Lucie in the 200 block of Southwest Eyerly Avenue. Investigators found items including five vehicles, one of which they said was “cloned.”
Cloning a vehicle refers to copying a vehicle identification number, or VIN, from a legally registered vehicle and putting it on a salvaged or stolen vehicle to disguise the vehicle’s true identity, said Lt. Andrew Bolonka, sheriff’s spokesperson.
Investigators determined that vehicle had been reported stolen to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in July 2024, the sheriff’s office stated.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro said new VINS would be created for stolen vehicles “to make them appear to be legal and legit and selling them for profit.”
“These guys are pros,” Del Toro said. “They’re very good at what they do.”
According to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, the case extended into Indian River County with sheriff’s investigators there executing three search warrants, one in Sebastian and two in southern Indian River County.
Eight stolen vehicles were recovered in Indian River County that “had been re-VINed using salvaged or rebuilt vehicle identification numbers,” the Indian River Sheriff’s Office stated.
Del Toro said investigators got information at the end of April from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office indicating “they recovered a vehicle that had a swapped VIN, basically that came back to a stolen vehicle here.”
St. Lucie Sheriff’s Detective Jay Carver said investigators believe those responsible may go to auction websites and get salvaged vehicles or ones that are totaled because of flooding or other damage.
“They’re purchasing these vehicles from the auction and they’re utilizing the paperwork and the legalities of the VIN numbers from those, and they’re putting them on the stolen vehicles,” Carver said.
Many of the vehicles, investigators said, were registered to Drizzle Drip & Dash Mobile Detailing LLC or associates that are registered agents of that business. Carver said the associates live in Indian River County.
In St. Lucie County, sheriff’s officials reported arresting Cortez Rashad Ash and Josuaire Pierre, both 33 and of Port St. Lucie. Each was arrested on a grand theft motor vehicle charge, while Pierre also was arrested on a charge of driving while license revoked or suspended, records show.
In Indian River County, investigators said they arrested Eric Irving, 36, of Vero Beach, on a charge of possessing a vehicle with altered numbers.
Del Toro said they are trying to locate those who may have bought cars from the company in the past.
Carver said the issue is common throughout the country.
“We’re starting to see an uptick in it, so that’s why it’s important for people to do their due diligence when they’re buying,” Carver said.
Del Toro recommended buying vehicles from a reputable dealer if possible.
“If it sounds too good to be true in terms of the type of deal you’re getting … it usually is,” Del Toro said.
Irving was released June 17 from the Indian River County Jail on $10,000 bond, according to the Indian River Sheriff’s Office.
Ash was released early June 18 from the St. Lucie County Jail on $2,500 bond, while Pierre was released on $3,000 bond, according to sheriff’s records.
Those who bought a vehicle from Ash or Pierre or Drizzle Drip & Dash Mobile Detailing LLC, are asked to contact St. Lucie Sheriff’s officials at 772-462-7300 or Carver at Carverj@stluciesheriff.com.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Vehicle ‘cloning’ case under investigation; 3 arrests in Indian River, St. Lucie counties
Reporting by Will Greenlee, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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