(L-R) Joseph Jaskolski, Richard Borchert, Jim Stahl & Joseph Wehrle (NICB President
& CEO)

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

Background / Nomination for the 2010 Recipients:
Northwest Indiana (Lake County) has consistently been a very popular area for both Commercial Theft and Personal Auto Theft rings due to the location between three major expressways connecting Illinois,Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

As a result, the Lake County Sheriff made a request for an AUTO THEFT & COMMERCIAL sting operation to be established in Lake County Indiana.

During the past year the Lake County/ NICB Auto Theft Task Force spearheaded this investigation. Investigators spent countless hours conducting surveillance, interviews, and coordinating this large
scale investigation. Many of these hours were during the late night or early mornings. Investigators diligently supported every aspect of this investigation and were the driving forces behind the successful dismantlement of these criminal enterprises.

The targeted individuals had been operating within Northwest Indiana for nearly 8 years. During that time period, more than 4,000 vehicles were stolen in Northwest Indiana; with estimated losses
of more than 23 million dollars to consumers and victims. 

This joint investigative effort, with assistance from the DEA and the Lake County Prosecutor was one of the largest auto theft cases in Northwest Indiana. The investigation was initiated in November of 2009 and concluded by May of 2010 with arrest warrants for 28 individuals. In addition to the 28 arrests, 88 vehicles were recovered with a value $850,704.

Charges included Auto Theft, Car-Jacking, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Vehicle Cloning, Possession of Drugs, Burglary, Theft, Possession of a vehicle with an Altered VIN, Fleeing to avoid
arrest, Discharging a firearm within City Limits, Operating a chop shop.

IAATI and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) congratulate and acknowledge the 2010 NICB Award of Excellence recipients for their efforts and dedication to Operation “Sting 1”. They continuously made unselfish sacrifices for the advancement of this investigation.

The Lake County Indiana Sheriff - NIC B Auto Theft Task Force:
• Captain Richard Borchert, Detective Jim Stahl and Administrator Kara Ralowski, Lake County Sheriff’s Office
• Detective Bill Klause, Gary Indiana Police Department
• Senior Special Agent Joseph Jaskolski, NICB

Editor’s note: Det. Bill Klause and Administrator Kara Ralowski could not attend the seminar and therefore were not in the photo.