Florida car thieves targeted high-end vehicles in $2M theft spree, sheriff says

At least five suspects are facing charges in a prolific theft ring in Florida that targeted high-end vehicles worth millions, authorities said.

The suspects targeted gated communities across Central Florida, stealing the vehicles out of driveways or garages, Orange County Sheriff’s Office officials said.

Video released by the sheriff’s office showed the suspects stealing a bevy of luxury vehicles, including Mercedes G-Wagens, Cadillac Escalades, Range Rovers, Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

In every case, the keys were left inside the vehicles, authorities said.

The suspects would find credit cards inside and drive straight to stores where they would buy gift cards or expensive electronics that were later sold, the sheriff’s office said.

Vehicles would have their GPS removed before they were transported out of state.

The group is linked to 33 cases in multiple counties involving vehicles worth a total of $2 million, authorities said.

The fraudulent purchases made by the group accounted for another $1 million, officials said.

Video released by the sheriff’s office showed one suspect accused of stealing a BMW fleeing before crashing into a pole, causing the car to split in half and catch fire.

The suspect had no pulse but was resuscitated at the hospital before he was arrested and bonded out of jail and the thefts kept going, authorities said.

The five suspects who have been arrested face racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering charges.