Overview
- A May theft of a new Corvette from a Thousand Oaks dealership prompted a multi-county probe that investigators say revealed a larger organized operation targeting high-end and performance vehicles.
- Detectives arrested Brandon Taylor, 27, and John Ivy, 39, in a coordinated Los Angeles County operation on July 1 and booked them into Ventura County on charges that include vehicle theft, conspiracy and possession of stolen vehicles with bail set at $250,000 each.
- Search warrants in Los Angeles and North Hollywood produced multiple recovered vehicles — including a Lamborghini Aventador, two Porsche 911s, a BMW X7 M60i and a GMC Hummer — with the total value tied to the ring at about $1.3 million.
- Investigators say the crew used fraudulent registrations, altered vehicle identification numbers and fake temporary license plates and that officers also seized key fobs, blank plates, forged documents and electronic devices as evidence.
- The investigation is ongoing, the Ventura County District Attorney is reviewing charges, and authorities have asked the public to contact Detective Eduardo Jimenez with any tips as they probe possible co-conspirators and the vehicles' resale paths.