Indiana Police Pose as Crooked Car Dealers to Nab Thieves

Northwest Indiana authorities say a nine-month sting targeting car thieves attracted 20 men and women who sold undercover police 70 vehicles valued at more than $510,000.

Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez said that investigators wrapped up the sting this week after arresting most of the suspects. Most are charged in Lake Criminal Court with crimes including auto theft, possession of stolen property, carjacking and weapons violations.

Capt. Rick Borchert and another officer posed as a father-and-son team of crooked car dealers buying cars stolen from Illinois and northwest Indiana. Borchert says the thieves bragged about stealing the cars they were driving into his shop.

Lake County, Gary police and the National Insurance Crime Bureau of Des Plaines, Ill., took part in the operation

Information from: The Times