Nine people are behind bars after an auto theft ring was busted by a number of local agencies.
According to a media release from the Omaha Police Department, in May investigators saw an increase in vehicles being stolen from metro area dealerships.
OPD says a detective in the Auto Theft Unit began investigating the cases reported within Omaha city limits and developed information indicating that his cases were part of a much larger theft ring. Omaha Police say the detective reached out to other agencies in order to coordinate a joint effort regarding other Omaha metro thefts that showed a similar M.O.
Police say the detective was able to eventually identify a main suspect, 35 year old Kevin Bequette. According to the media release, while working the case and compiling evidence from the other jurisdictions, it was discovered that the thefts were carried out by a well-organized ring. Investigators believe the ring has been operating together since at least the fall of 2019. Investigators then determined that the group had been targeting dealerships on holiday weekends, most recently Memorial Day Weekend 2020, and had plans developed for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
OPD says due to the volume of evidence and size of the ring of suspects, three other detectives were brought in to help with the cases, sharing the work going forward.
The primary detective worked with the LaVista Police Department to serve a search warrant at Bequette home. The warrant was executed and Baquette was arrested on June 18th. Police say evidence and property were recovered from his home that related to multiple Omaha cases. Once he is adjudicated in Sarpy County, Baquette will have to face felony charges in Douglas County. He is also facing federal charges in connection to the case.
Nine of the ten main suspects in this case have been arrested.
The case was assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Sarpy County Sheriff’s Department, Fremont Police Department and the La Vista Police Department.