CHOP SHOP SHUTDOWN: Florida trio nabbed in $388k multi-state car theft operation
www.cbs12.com, Sophie Pendrill, March 20, 2026
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (CBs12) — In a blow to a multi-state vehicle theft ring centered in Florida, authorities arrested three men accused of stealing high-end cars valued at nearly $400,000, unraveling a criminal operation that targeted unsuspecting dealerships and buyers.
“This operation was calculated and fueled by greed, targeting hardworking businesses and buyers across multiple communities,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Thanks to the dedication of our detectives, this criminal enterprise has been shut down. If you profit from crime in Hillsborough County, you will be held accountable.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said that between December 2025 and March 2026, the suspects, Yoan Gonzalez Solorzano, 25, Javier Penate Berbe, 24, and Christien Ravi Bisnath, 31, allegedly stole high-end vehicles valued at an estimated $388,000.
Officials said that their targets included dealerships, auctions, and recent buyers across Florida and beyond.
According to the report, after stealing the vehicles, the men brought them to Hillsborough County, where they either sold, dismantled them for parts, or altered their identification through fraudulent VIN swaps to sell them for profit.
Detectives said they uncovered a chop shop in Riverview, where they recovered several stolen vehicles, including GMC Yukons, Cadillac Escalades, and a Dodge Charger.
Officials reported that one notable incident was captured on surveillance video from December 25, 2025. It showed a white 2021 GMC Yukon Denali, valued at $68,000, being stolen from a lot on Causeway Boulevard in Tampa. A silver RAM truck was allegedly seen scouting the area before the Yukon was driven away.
The stolen Yukon was later found at a property in Riverview, but without its original custom rims, which had been switched to a different vehicle, per the report.
All three suspects are now facing multiple felony charges, including Grand Theft and Operating a Chop Shop.