HOUSTON — Working with other law enforcement agencies, the Houston Police Department has made 80 arrests so far in an investigation into an organized crime ring that focuses on thefts of valuables transported via trailers. As of June 28, charges had been filed against 130 suspects in Houston and surrounding areas. A key break in the case, dubbed “Operation Wheels and Deals,” took place as police were tracking a van and trailer belonging to country music singer Zane Williams that were stolen outside a Houston-area restaurant on May 16, 2015. A GPS tracking device helped authorities pinpoint the missing trailer, and there they discovered motorcycle apparel and accessories that had been reported stolen in another trailer heist.
More details from the Houston Police Department (www.houstontx.gov):
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.
Photos of the 76 HPD suspects can be viewed on the HPD flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/houstonpolice/albums/72157669710631032
