The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) announced the arrests of five individuals connected to an auto theft ring accused of stealing more than 80 vehicles across multiple states. The arrests were made in coordination with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Tampa International Airport Police Department (TPAPD), Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
“Thanks to the help of our law enforcement partners, six criminal aliens who stole upward of 80 cars will be brought to justice by our Statewide Prosecutors,” Uthmeier said. “Florida is a law-and-order state; we will pursue justice and work with the Trump administration to send these criminals back to where they came from.”
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass praised the multi-agency effort.
“This case is a testament to the power of law enforcement teamwork, and I’m proud of the work we were able to accomplish on this investigation,” Glass said. “This is a textbook example of law enforcement collaboration at its finest, bringing down a sophisticated crime ring from an operation that stretched across the west coast of Florida.”
Investigation Details
The investigation began in June 2022, when FDLE agents in Fort Myers identified 12 stolen vehicles from multiple counties, including Collier, Lee, and Charlotte. Agents later determined the suspects were living in the Tampa Bay area and were targeting airport rental vehicles.
Investigators discovered that the suspects had direct access to the keys of high-end rental cars. The suspects allegedly transported the vehicles out of the rental lot to an undisclosed location, where they altered the vehicle identification numbers (VINs) with fraudulent ones before attempting to sell the vehicles.
In addition, the suspects reportedly planted tracking devices on rental vehicles used by lawful customers, enabling them to locate and steal the cars. The criminal operation extended beyond Florida, with similar thefts reported in Texas, Georgia, Colorado, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Ohio.
Arrests and Charges
On March 11, 2025, FDLE agents, along with FHP, HSI, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, arrested five of the six suspects on racketeering charges. One suspect faces an additional charge for possession of a vehicle with altered VINs.
The six suspects are:
Hector Rafael Gonalez Tamayo – Arrested March 11, 2025; charged with racketeering.
Yoan Oriol Gonzalez Solorzano – Arrested March 11, 2025; charged with racketeering.
Felipe Benitez Alonso – Arrested March 11, 2025; charged with racketeering.
Yainier Pinillo Toro – Currently in custody in Tarrant County, Texas; charged with racketeering.
Maria Beatriz Rodriguez La Rosa – Arrested March 11, 2025; charged with racketeering and possession of a vehicle with altered VINs.
Inti Gomez Alonso – WANTED
Four of the suspects were booked into the Hillsborough and Pasco County jails. Pinillo Toro remains in custody in Tarrant County, Texas, on similar charges.
The case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
For more information, contact the FDLE Office of Public Information at [email protected].
