South Bay SWAT Teams Help Bust High-End Vehicle Theft Crew

SWAT teams from Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Gardena recently helped carry out a multiagency operation that led to six arrests, the recovery of nine stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than a dozen firearms in an investigation into a suspected high-end vehicle theft crew operating across Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to Downey police.

The investigation began around Aug. 7 and continued through Sept. 22. Investigators linked the group to numerous stolen high-end vehicles, multiple police pursuits, a carjacking in Downey and an incident in which a suspect pointed a handgun at an officer during a traffic stop, police said.

As part of the investigation, SWAT teams simultaneously served search warrants at 11 locations tied to the suspects and alleged criminal activity.

The operation involved SWAT teams from the Downey, South Gate, El Monte, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Beverly Hills, Manhattan Beach and Gardena police departments, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Orange County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol.

Authorities arrested six suspects during the operation and recovered nine stolen vehicles and more than a dozen firearms.

Following the investigation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office filed multiple felony counts against four suspects, according to police.

Downey police did not identify the suspects or specify the charges filed against them in the release.