The Clark County Sheriff’s Office arrested five people — including one juvenile — on suspicion of a total of 23 felony charges in connection with a multistate muscle car theft ring.
According to the sheriff’s office, the agency obtained 13 search warrants and recovered 11 stolen cars collectively worth about $700,000. Nine guns and $42,000 in cash were also recovered.
The investigation began in June after Clark County sheriff’s detectives learned suspects in the theft ring were surveilling and burglarizing local car dealerships that sold high-end cars including Dodge Hellcats and Chevrolet Corvettes, according to the statement. The suspects also would pay people to scout privately owned muscle cars. Members of the organized theft ring would then steal them and either sell them or part them out for profit.
Detectives worked with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office as it conducted a similar investigation into high-end stolen cars. The Multnomah investigation led to the arrest of the suspected ringleader last month.
The theft ring operated in multiple states.
Law enforcement recovered multiple high-end cars in Vancouver that were stolen as far south as San Francisco and as far north as Bellingham. Detectives believe the thefts began in summer 2023.
The recovered vehicles include four Dodge Charger Hellcats, a Dodge Challenger Hellcat and a Chevrolet Corvette. Three of the recovered vehicles were found disassembled.
The suspects would provide the operation’s ringleader with information on cars, purchase stolen cars from him and swap vehicle identification numbers, according to the news release. Some would sell stolen car parts to other theft ring members.
According to the sheriff’s office, the five arrested in connection with the case are:
- Christopher Bensch, 25, who is facing four counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, four counts of first-degree trafficking stolen property, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of first-degree taking a vehicle without permission and second-degree burglary;
- Tyler Lautenschlager, 42, faces two counts of first-degree taking a vehicle without permission, three counts of first-degree trafficking stolen property, two counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and two counts forgery;
- Luke Tangocci, 34, faces two counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, first-degree trafficking stolen property, first-degree taking a vehicle without permission and providing a firearm to an ineligible person.
- Miguel E. Gonzalez, 26, faces one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle;
The sheriff’s office did not release the identity of the juvenile, who faces charges of one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
