Authorities in Georgia say a pair of crooks were nabbed as part of a sting operation into what appears to be a stolen-vehicle ring.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, 22-year-old Shawn Milstead of Inglewood, Calif., and 35-year-old Jason Tucker of Pontiac, Mich., were arrested on suspicion of attempting to use fraudulent documentation to secure an SUV valued at more than $100,000.
Investigators allege that the two suspects tried to purchase a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Track Hawk from Ginn Motors on U.S. Route 278. They were both taken into custody on Saturday.
Milstead is expected to face an array of criminal charges including eight counts of forgery in the first degree, three counts of forgery in the second degree, and one count of theft by receiving. Tucker is reportedly charged with a count of theft by receiving for his alleged role in the scheme.
“We believe the two offenders are part of a ring that attempts to use fraudulent identification and financing to essentially steal high end cars from dealerships and rental car business,” police said in a news release announcing the arrests.
Covington police reportedly coordinated with the Georgia State Patrol Special Investigative Unit to conduct a sting operation that also netted a 2018 Land Rover they say was also stolen.
[Featured image: Shawn Milstead and Jason Tucker, Newton County Sheriff’s Office]
