Detective Josh Vales (second from left) receiving the 2021 IAATI Components/Parts Marking Award

The IAATI Components/Parts Marking Award is sponsored by Recoveri and honors any person or organization for distinguished performance where the marking of vehicle and equipment components or parts played a significant role in the success of a vehicle identification investigation or related initiative.  

Vehicle manufacturers may be recognized for developing or deploying innovative VIN labels, supplemental ID marks, in-factory electronic parts marking, etc.   Aftermarket suppliers may be recognized for etching or branding solutions, RF tags, microdots, DNA fluids, UV light markings, and other antitheft marking methods.  Nominees must be eligible for IAATI membership but need not be active members. 

Detective Josh Vales (Miami Dade PD) and S.A. Eric Moreno (DHS), were honored for planning and executing Operation “The Last Alamo.” State and federal investigators began working jointly in August 2020 on a case involving multiple thefts of rented high-dollar Jeeps, SUVs, and pick-up trucks. Rental companies were seeing an increase in vehicles stolen from their legitimate renters between January and August of 2020. Internal investigation of some of the rental thefts helped identify two suspects who had rented several of the stolen vehicles before the thefts ultimately occurred. Once the suspect renters returned the vehicle, it would be stolen from the next renter. Suspects were likely installing GPS devices and possibly programming new keys to the rental vehicles.

Investigators were able to establish surveillance on several of the vehicles rented by the two suspects that had yet to be stolen. Two of these vehicles were stolen and tracked to several locations where the suspects were storing these and other stolen vehicles. Several additional suspects were subsequently identified, resulting in more arrests.  To date, our award recipients have recovered over 15 of the stolen vehicles, valued at over a million dollars. During the follow-up investigation, several of the stolen rental vehicles had been taken across state lines and were recovered in New York and New Jersey. Additionally, two of the stolen vehicles were taken out of the country and recovered with the assistance of Mexican authorities.  The investigation is ongoing with additional arrests anticipated and 10 unrecovered stolen vehicles still being sought.