News Summary

In a significant operation against organized vehicle theft, the Arizona Department of Public Safety arrested three suspects and recovered 29 stolen high-end vehicles valued at nearly $2.5 million. Known as ‘Operation Escalading Switch,’ the sting took place in Phoenix and involved multiple law enforcement agencies executing coordinated search warrants. Investigators found altered VINs and links to international financial accounts. The suspects, considered flight risks, face multiple felony charges and will appear in court soon.

Phoenix

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) announced the results of “Operation Escalading Switch,” which led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of 29 stolen vehicles, valued at nearly $2.5 million. The sting operation focused on combating organized vehicle theft within the Phoenix metropolitan area and took place on June 17, 2025.

The operation was a collaborative effort involving the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) along with multiple partner agencies, including local police departments across the Valley. Coordinated search warrants were executed at seven different locations, resulting in the recovery of a substantial number of stolen luxury cars.

During the operation, investigators discovered various items related to the vehicle theft ring, including weapons and cash. The stolen vehicles were typically high-end models that had their vehicle identification numbers (VINs) altered. The criminals used Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, to rent out these stolen vehicles to unsuspecting customers within a week of the theft.

The criminal activities were further connected to financial accounts in the United States, Mexico, and the Middle East, indicating an extensive network aimed at profiting from these unlawful activities. The suspects arrested include 29-year-old Ali Ahmad, 32-year-old Delia Rocha, and 33-year-old Mario Garcia Rodriguez, all residents of Glendale, Arizona. They currently face multiple felony charges related to vehicle theft.

Operation Overview

Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of AZDPS, highlighted the importance of collaborative law enforcement in successfully executing the operation. Partner agencies involved included the Surprise Police Department, Goodyear Police Department, Mesa Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Scottsdale Police Department, Tucson Police Department, Marana Police Department, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Arizona Department of Transportation, Arizona Auto Theft Authority (AATA), National Insurance Crime Bureau, and United States Homeland Security Investigations, along with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Their combined efforts were crucial in dismantling the vehicle theft ring.

Details on Stolen Vehicles and Suspects

The investigation was spurred in late 2024 when officials found a Cadillac Escalade with a VIN switch. Authorities learned that many stolen vehicles were sourced from California and then brought to Arizona for the VIN alterations at a residential property in Avondale. Ahmad is suspected of generating around $160,000 by renting out the stolen vehicles on Turo.

All three suspects are being regarded as flight risks due to international ties, resulting in cash bond amounts set at $250,000 for Ahmad and $25,000 each for Rocha and Rodriguez. A court hearing is scheduled for June 23, 2025, where further legal proceedings will take place.

Turo’s Cooperation and Community Safety

Turo has expressed its commitment to cooperating with law enforcement during the investigation, reiterating that criminal behavior on their platform is “extremely rare.” The AZDPS Vehicle Theft Task Force is supported by an annual grant from the AATA, aimed at reducing vehicle theft through public awareness and enforcement initiatives designed to protect communities throughout Arizona.

The operation has underscored the ongoing issues related to organized vehicle theft in Arizona, revealing the methods used by criminals to steal and resell luxury vehicles while posing risks to unsuspecting renters and community safety.

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Additional Resources

• AZ Family
• Wikipedia: Vehicle theft
• Fox 10 Phoenix
• Google Search: Vehicle theft
• ABC 15
• Google Scholar: Vehicle theft operations
• Gila Herald
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle theft
• KVOA
• Google News: Phoenix car theft