HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A group of men accused of being involved in an auto theft ring have been taken into custody following a weeks-long investigation that included several police agencies across the mid-South.

The Hendersonville Police Department reportedly worked with several other departments to recover eight stolen vehicles in five states, and the investigation remains ongoing.

According to HPD Lt. Chris Gagnon, the case began on Sept. 30 after a high-end 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye was reported stolen from the 100 block of Midtown Court.

Authorities reported video footage captured the suspects arrive to the business in a stolen Jeep and park next to the Challenger.

As seen on video, a hooded suspect is then seen walking toward the Challenger with a tablet in his hand before opening the door. The tablet reportedly served as a key programmer, which allowed the suspect to steal the vehicle.

Investigators said the license plate on the back of the Jeep was traced to a location in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where HPD detectives found three vehicles that were reported stolen out of Nashville. Those vehicles included a Chrysler 300, a Dodge Challenger and a truck.

According to Gagnon, as detectives were working the case, a high-end Dodge Durango SRT pickup truck was stolen from Mansker Farms in Hendersonville. However, the vehicle was later recovered at an apartment complex in Nashville.

The Metro Nashville Police Department reportedly provided a big break in the case after officers stopped three people as they were leaving an apartment complex on Oct.7.

One of the suspects —identified as 20-year-old William McGlimer— was charged in connection to the theft of the Challenger Hellcat Redeye in Hendersonville. Officials said McGilmer has previous history in Metro for theft of a firearm, prohibited weapon, theft over $10,000 and resisting arrest.

According to the HPD, a hold was placed on McGilmer following his release from Davidson County, charging him with theft over $60,000.

That same day, according to Gagnon, detectives received information about the stolen white Challenger, which led them to Paint Rock, Alabama, which is where the vehicle was recovered.

The next day, on Oct. 8, HPD investigators returned to Paint Rock with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to execute a search warrant at the property. The search reportedly revealed a chop shop/VIN swapping operation, as well as an illegal marijuana grow house.

At the location, another suspect—identified as 43-year-old Jonathan Wayne Pylant—allegedly told investigators that he bought the white Challenger online.

In addition to the white Challenger, law enforcement also found stolen vehicles from Georgia, Florida, Memphis, and numerous vehicle parts, at the property.

According to Gagnon, some of the cars seized at the Alabama property had been "VIN swapped."

Gagnon added that authorities received information on Oct. 16, connecting 25-year-old Shawn Murray Jr. of Nashville to the auto theft ring. The HPD said warrants for theft over $60,000 was obtained for Murray and he was taken into custody on Oct. 20.

Additional charges against the three suspects are expected, and the FBI is now involved in the case.

"There was a lot of time put in by the investigators on this," said Gagnon. "We ended up in Hopkinsville, back down in Nashville, and then we ended up in Paint Rock, Alabama. It was a bunch of back and forth, and they invested some real time to take some guys victimizing a large portion of Middle Tennessee off the streets."

When the case came together, Gagnon says he felt a sense of excitement.

"When we started making all the connections I got somewhat excited, because I knew we were going to be able to make a dent in something," he expressed.

Anyone with information about the ongoing case is asked to contact to the HPD's Criminal Investigation Division at (615)-264-5303 or Hendersonville Crime Stoppers at 615-594-4113.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/suspects-charged-following-multi-state-operation-into-auto-theft-ring/