Miami Beach Police Crack Down on Luxury Car Theft Ring
Miami Beach Police have apprehended three individuals involved in a sophisticated scheme to steal and resell high-end vehicles. The crime ring, which targeted luxury cars, has resulted in losses estimated around $300,000.
Yuriy Korotovskyy, 41, Arman Gevorgyan, 53, and Hrant Nazarian, 43, face charges including grand theft, dealing in stolen property, and conspiracy to commit organized fraud. According to police, the suspects used fraudulent paperwork to take possession of the vehicles.
The investigation began on January 22 with the report of a stolen 2020 Rolls-Royce, which was supposed to be transported from Miami Beach to a Michigan auto shop but never arrived, according to authorities. The owner of the Rolls-Royce, Nader Eldamouni, stated the car’s value to be about $300,000.
Detectives uncovered a growing pattern where the suspects targeted dispatchers and transporters, changing the delivery locations for the vehicles. The suspects would redirect truck drivers to different drop-off points.
Fraudulent shipping arrangements involved Armenian and Russian brokers, police said. A truck driver unknowingly transported several stolen vehicles, including a Rolls-Royce, a Lamborghini Urus, and an Audi R8, to drop-off points in Hallandale Beach. Surveillance footage showed the suspects following the stolen vehicles.
In a controlled delivery operation in Aventura, detectives apprehended the suspects. Korotovskyy was observed paying $700 for the delivery of an orange Lamborghini Urus, which was subsequently confirmed stolen. The suspects arrived at the scene in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan and a Bentley.
Steve Phelan, a Houston, Texas resident, reported that his Ferrari was also rerouted and ended up in Miami. Both Phelan and Eldamouni contacted 7News after seeing reports of similar crimes.
Police are continuing the investigation and are working to make further arrests.
Christopher Bess, Miami Beach Police spokesperson, advised car owners to use GPS tracking systems, contact their dealers about tracking mechanisms, and take measures to protect vehicles during shipping. As of Friday, Eldamouni’s Rolls-Royce had not been recovered.
