HPD Shuts Down Auto Theft Ring That Allegedly Nabbed 100 Cars

HOUSTON, TX — Boosting cars sure has changed since Fritzy Giovanelli and Junior Varacalli were shot-calling a crew out in East Flatbush during the Giuliani years.

It used to be that mooks looking to get made had to know the basics — how to break a steering lock and spark a starter wire without electrocuting themselves — now all these script kiddies need is a laptop.

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At least that's what HPD is saying about two suspects accused of lifting more than 100 pickups and SUVs throughout the Houston area.

Michael Armando Arce, 24, and Jesse Irvin Zelaya, 22, allegedly used a laptop to hack the on board computers of various trucks and SUVs.

The two are accused of using a pretty high-speed M.O. They'd allegedly jack the cars around midnight and drive them straight to Mexico. The idea was that the trocas and yuppiemobiles would be across the border before the owners even knew they were missing.

According to 61 Riesner St., one of the vehicles the pair allegedly stole was reported missing before they got it down to Nuevo Laredo or Matamoros. The report hit the wire and caught ICE's attention.

ICE got back to HPD and the two agencies worked together to bring 'A-Z Auto Thieves' down.