Police In The US Intercept Stolen Cars Bound For West Africa

Cars stolen from DC, Maryland and Virginia intercepted at Port of Baltimore

by Mitch BlacherMon, July 24th 2023

WASHINGTON (7News) — Surveillance cameras captured a team of four skilled thieves breaking into a Bethesda Mercedes dealership. In roughly 15 minutes, they maneuvered four Mercedes, including a $200,000 Mercedes G-Wagon, outside and escaped.

These thefts are among 55,000 auto crimes committed in Montgomery County over the past three years, according to police records.

Months after the thefts, the 7News I-Team was at the Port of Baltimore when U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents intercepted two of the cars stolen from the Bethesda dealership. The cars, valued at more than $400,000, were discovered before they disappeared overseas.

The shipping container manifest indicated one car was destined for West Africa, but an X-ray scan revealed three cars inside. 7News’ cameras rolled as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents opened the shipping container’s gate, revealing the dealer plates intact and providing critical evidence for the ongoing investigation.

Police have not made any arrests for the thefts, but the cars have been returned to the dealership.

“I couldn’t even believe it. I couldn’t believe it. I figured these were long gone,” Bethesda Euro Motorcars General Manager Jim Willard said.