DETROIT, MI – In a multiagency collaborative effort comprising state, local and federal law enforcement, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations’ (HSI) Detroit field office led an effort to tackle an international car theft ring reportedly out of Michigan, leading to eight suspects being indicted following a years long investigation.
In a September 8th press release from ICE, the agency detailed the successful outcome of a multi-year effort to take down “an international auto theft ring” out of Michigan, reportedly resulting in eight suspects being named in a 12-count indictment.
According to the release from the agency, the alleged car theft ring was investigated between July 2023 and August 2025, with the defendants being accused of conspiring to receive stolen vehicles “at one of four commercial/industrial lots” within the greater Detroit area.
After receiving the stolen vehicles at the various lots, the suspects allegedly “would then pack two or more vehicles at the lots into shipping containers,” with said shipping containers meant to be sent overseas.
However, law enforcement was able to successfully intercept the aforementioned shipping containers before they made it to their intended destinations.
A separate press release from the Justice Department related to the indictments listed the suspects as 41-year-old Haydar Al Haydari, 43-year-old Karar Alnakash, 42-year-old Abbas Al Othman, 36-year-old Mohammed Al Hilo, 46-year-old Moustapha Al Fetlawi, 33-year-old Terrill Davis, 32-year-old David Roshinsky Williams, and 35-year-old Mohammed Al Abboodi.
All of the suspects have since been charged with a single count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles alongside numerous charges for transportation of a stolen vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon issued a statement alongside the announced indictments, saying, “Stolen cars have no place in interstate commerce and foreign trade. I very much appreciate the diligent work of our many law-enforcement partners in recovering countless vehicles and putting an end to this criminal scheme. Our work to secure justice for the conspirators and their victims continues.”
ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz also shared a statement following the unsealed indictments, highlighting the agency’s successes in recovering stolen vehicles during the investigation.
“Our efforts have led to the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles and behind every one of those stolen cars is a victim,” SAC Stentz stated, adding, “This case hits even closer to home in a state like Michigan, where auto theft doesn’t just hurt our wallets, but our culture. Our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners will continue to do the work necessary to take down these operations that harm everyday Americans.”
In a September 8th press release from ICE, the agency detailed the successful outcome of a multi-year effort to take down “an international auto theft ring” out of Michigan, reportedly resulting in eight suspects being named in a 12-count indictment.
According to the release from the agency, the alleged car theft ring was investigated between July 2023 and August 2025, with the defendants being accused of conspiring to receive stolen vehicles “at one of four commercial/industrial lots” within the greater Detroit area.
After receiving the stolen vehicles at the various lots, the suspects allegedly “would then pack two or more vehicles at the lots into shipping containers,” with said shipping containers meant to be sent overseas.
However, law enforcement was able to successfully intercept the aforementioned shipping containers before they made it to their intended destinations.
A separate press release from the Justice Department related to the indictments listed the suspects as 41-year-old Haydar Al Haydari, 43-year-old Karar Alnakash, 42-year-old Abbas Al Othman, 36-year-old Mohammed Al Hilo, 46-year-old Moustapha Al Fetlawi, 33-year-old Terrill Davis, 32-year-old David Roshinsky Williams, and 35-year-old Mohammed Al Abboodi.
All of the suspects have since been charged with a single count of conspiracy to transport stolen vehicles alongside numerous charges for transportation of a stolen vehicle.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon issued a statement alongside the announced indictments, saying, “Stolen cars have no place in interstate commerce and foreign trade. I very much appreciate the diligent work of our many law-enforcement partners in recovering countless vehicles and putting an end to this criminal scheme. Our work to secure justice for the conspirators and their victims continues.”
ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Stentz also shared a statement following the unsealed indictments, highlighting the agency’s successes in recovering stolen vehicles during the investigation.
“Our efforts have led to the recovery of over 350 stolen vehicles and behind every one of those stolen cars is a victim,” SAC Stentz stated, adding, “This case hits even closer to home in a state like Michigan, where auto theft doesn’t just hurt our wallets, but our culture. Our HSI special agents and law enforcement partners will continue to do the work necessary to take down these operations that harm everyday Americans.”
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