Police arrest leader of car theft ring that used GPS tracking to steal and resell vehicles

BABIL — Police in Babil have arrested the alleged mastermind of a six-member gang that specialized in selling vehicles and then stealing them back using GPS trackers and duplicate keys, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Babil Police Command.

The operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department in northern Babil’s Al-Mahawil District, in coordination with the Falcons Intelligence Cell and the judiciary.

Police said the suspect, who is from a neighboring governorate, was found with key fobs for multiple cars, identity documents, residency cards, vehicle registrations and several unregistered SIM cards believed to have been used in the thefts.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to creating the gang and stealing at least five vehicles from various governorates. According to police, the group sold stolen cars through Facebook, then tracked them using GPS devices and used spare keys to steal them back at night. The vehicles were then resold.

Authorities said most members of the gang have been arrested and that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.