Detective James Carpenter and Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Auto Theft Unit Detectives 
discovered that Charles Madden had been purchasing partially dismantled and/or damaged vehicles 
from auto auctions and
• Rebuilding stolen vehicles using parts from damaged auction vehicles.
• Using the VINs to register the stolen vehicles, and
• Selling cloned vehicles to dealerships as Certified Pre-Owned.

After the initial investigation, Det. Carpenter and fellow WAVE Detectives executed a search and 
seizure warrant at a chop shop located in Prince George's County, Maryland, resulting in:
• 109 vehicles impounded
• 30 stolen vehicles identified as re-vinned, dismantled, or cloned.

As a result of this investigation:
• 32 stolen re-vinned vehicles were recovered, valued at $1.32 million.
•  Det. James Carpenter was also able to track down 15 damaged vehicles that were either repaired 
with stolen parts or stolen vehicles that were re-vinned
• Estimated $384,000 in dealership fraud losses.

This Case was federally indicted as a Chop Shop Case on May 1, 2025, by the
U.S. District Court.

Congratulations, Detective Carpenter, for all your hard work as this year’s recipient
of the IAATI Vehicle Identification Award.