6 Arrested, Tied to Vehicle Theft Ring and Chop Shop

6 Arrested, Tied to Vehicle Theft Ring and Chop Shop

The Rhode Island State Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of six individuals following a lengthy investigation conducted by the Rhode Island Auto Theft Task Force into an alleged motor vehicle theft ring and chop shop operation.

The Rhode Island Auto Theft Task Force initiated the investigation in October 2025 after inspecting a motor vehicle with irregularities indicating it had been stolen. Further investigation led to the identification of a subject who had initiated registration proceedings for similar vehicles and was known to frequent an address suspected of being a chop shop. A court-authorized search warrant executed at the alleged chop shop resulted in the discovery of VIN-altering tools, stolen vehicle equipment, and a stolen motor vehicle.

The Enforcement

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On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, members of the Rhode Island State Police Detective Bureau executed six arrest warrants and a search warrant, during which additional stolen vehicle equipment was seized. Over the course of the investigation, members recovered six stolen motor vehicles, all of which had been taken in Rhode Island and neighboring New England states, with a total estimated value of approximately $500,000. The investigation is ongoing.

 

As a result of this joint investigation, the following were arrested:

 

Michael Brown, age 48,  Villa Avenue, Cranston

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (6 counts) - Felony

·      Operation of a Chop Shop - Felony

·      Alteration of Identification Number (6 counts) - Felony

·      Insurance Fraud Claim >$1,500.00 - Felony

·      Conspiracy - Felony

·     Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number (6 Counts) – Felony

·      Forgery and Counterfeiting – Felony

·      False Statement to Fraudulently Obtain License or Registration-Misdemeanor

 

Erik Cardoso, age 43, of Cleveland Street, North Providence

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle - Felony

·      Forgery and Counterfeiting – Felony

·      Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number - Felony

·      Conspiracy – Felony

·      False Statement to Fraudulently Obtain License or Registration -Misdemeanor

 

Emery Lima, age 44, of 58 Rose Hill Drive, Cranston

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (5 counts) - Felony

·      Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number (5 Counts) - Felony

·      Alteration of Identification Number (6 Counts) – Felony

·      Operation of a Chop Shop – Felony

·      Conspiracy - Felony

 

Jolon O’Connor, age 47, of 71 Burns Street, Providence

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (4 Counts) - Felony

·      Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number (4 Counts) – Felony

·      Alteration of Identification Number (6 Counts) - Felony

·      Operation of a Chop Shop – Felony

·      Conspiracy -Felony

 

Carlos Rodrigues, age 43, of Alvina Drive, Johnston

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (2 Counts) - Felony

·      Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number (2 Counts) - Felony

·      Conspiracy – Felony

 

Sean Swepson, age 33,  of Providence

·      Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (6 Counts) – Felony

·      Alteration of Identification Number (6 Counts)

·      Possession of a Motor Vehicle or Part with Altered Identification Number (6 Counts) - Felony

·      Forgery and Counterfeiting – Felony

·      Operation of a Chop Shop - Felony

·      Conspiracy – Felony

·      False Statement to Fraudulently Obtain License or Registration - Misdemeanor

 

The Rhode Island Auto Theft Task Force is managed by the Rhode Island State Police and includes members from the Providence Police Department and the Central Falls Police Department as well as a representative from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office. It also collaborates with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Unit and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).