This award was created in 2005 as a joint venture between NICB and the IAATI. It is intended to recognize any law enforcement person(s), unit or department, who have distinguished themselves in area of vehicle theft investigations, making a significant impact involving dismantlement and prosecution of a vehicle theft ring or chop shop.

This year’s winners are the members of the Tucson Squad of the Arizona Department of Public Safety Rattler Vehicle Theft Taskforce; Ray Mechtel, Ryan Azuelo Kasey Ball, Mike Valencia, Clay Strahle, Steve Jimenez and Chief Ricardo Briseno with United States Customs and Border Protection .

In early 2015 a trend was found indicating numerous Ford F250 and F350 trucks were being stolen in Tucson area and taken to Mexico. Tucson is approximately 70 miles from Nogales Mexico and many times vehicles are stolen in Tucson and have already crossed the border before the owner discovers the vehicle missing. The Arizona Department of Public Safety RATTLER Vehicle Theft Taskforce began an operation in an attempt to stem the tide of the F250s and F350s being stolen and taken to Mexico.

A partnership was created between the AZDPS RATTLER taskforce, Tucson Police Department, Pima County Sheriff’s Office, Marana Police Department and US Customs in Nogales Arizona. The Tucson Police Department began sending text alerts to the taskforce members and US Customs in Nogales every time a F250 or F350 was stolen. The text alerts contained the vehicle information including the assigned license plates. US Customs would then then enter the license plates in the US Customs and Border Protection LPR system. This provided sufficient time for CBP to interdict the vehicle prior to getting into Mexico or the driver of the vehicle when they attempted to re-enter the US. The tactic proved to be very successful as it ultimately resulted in many arrests which otherwise would not have occurred. Through the use of intelligence collection (CAD reports, phone exploitation, pocket litter, statements, etc.), they learned this was a trans-national organized crime syndicate, based out of Mexico, with ties to a trans-national drug and human trafficking organization.

Additionally the taskforce detectives met with county prosecutors paving the way for successful prosecution of the suspects. Between January and June of 2015 the Task Force recovered 126 stolen vehicles valued at over $900,000. More importantly they made 42 in-progress auto theft arrests. For a single six-month period, these types of statistics are unprecedented for this region. This operation was conducted in conjunction with daily responsibilities of the detectives. This operation proved so successful some of the tactics are still being used. Just last week the US Customs in Nogales interdicted 7 stolen vehicle that resulted in 7 people arrested and charged with vehicle theft.

NICB would like to thank the member of the taskforce for their dedication and resourcefulness to an ongoing vehicle theft problem by presenting them with the NICB award of Excellence.