WASHINGTON, D.C. — Six people have been charged in connection with an international vehicle theft ring that allegedly stole cars across the Washington metropolitan area and Pennsylvania, moved them across state lines, and sold them to buyers in the United States and Ghana, federal officials said.
A 15-count indictment was unsealed April 22, 2026, in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia following what officials described as a year-long investigation into the alleged theft operation.
The following individuals were charged with conspiracy to possess, sell, and transport stolen motor vehicles: Jacob Hernandez, 29, of Los Angeles; Dustin Wetzel, 23, of Woodbridge, Virginia; James Young, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland; Khobe David, 24, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; and Chance Clark, 25, of Waldorf, Maryland. A sixth defendant has also been charged but remains at large, and that person’s indictment remains sealed.
Cars Allegedly Stolen, Altered, and Shipped Out
According to the indictment, members of the conspiracy stole at least 20 vehicles in the Washington, D.C., area and Pennsylvania. Officials said the group mainly targeted newer Honda Civics, Honda CR-Vs, Acura TLXs, and Acura RDXs.
Federal prosecutors said the stolen vehicles were transported to storage locations that included a parking garage in Southeast Washington. At that location, co-conspirators allegedly altered the appearance of the vehicles by swapping license plates and obscuring vehicle identification numbers.
Before the vehicles were moved, officials said the defendants disabled GPS and Bluetooth capabilities to make detection harder.
Investigators also said the theft ring used electronic devices that allowed conspirators to reprogram vehicles so they would accept previously blank key fobs.
Georgia Search Warrant Executed, Broader Case Still Expanding
As part of the investigation, authorities executed a search warrant on April 21 at an automobile storage facility in Decatur, Georgia, that is believed to be connected to the theft operation.
Officials said investigators are also working to connect the charged individuals to the theft of more than 100 vehicles in the District of Columbia and more than 30 vehicles in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia’s Criminal Investigations Unit, and the FBI Washington Field Office. Authorities said the Prince George’s County Police Department also provided assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jacob Green and Michael Lee, along with Trial Attorney Haley Pennington, are prosecuting the case.
Officials emphasized that an indictment is only a formal charge and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
