FYI: A dealership employee in New Jersey has been arrested for allegedly stealing luxury SUVs worth $200,000.
Employee Arrested for Alleged SUV Theft
A dealership in Summit, New Jersey, was rocked by scandal when one of its employees, Henri Bonilla of Newark, was accused of stealing luxury SUVs valued at approximately $200,000. Working at Smythe Volvoker, Bonilla allegedly orchestrated the theft of three high-end vehicles, including two Volvo EX90s.
An Inside Job with a Flawed Plan
The methodology behind the alleged theft appears to echo Hollywood crime plots. Leveraging his insider access, Bonilla reportedly used key fobs to smoothly remove the vehicles from the lot. Unlike dramatic heist movies, no evidence of forced entry was discovered, initially leaving the dealership unaware of the missing cars.
However, the plan faltered due to its brazen simplicity. Despite its stealth, the absence of vehicles in the inventory caught the attention of dealership officials within eight weeks. This led to an investigation, focusing on internal staff with access to key systems.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following scrutiny, Bonilla was charged with three counts of car theft, along with one count of conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Released until his court appearance, he is no longer employed at Smythe Volvoker.
Consequences and Community Impact
This incident highlights the need for robust security measures and vigilant monitoring within dealerships. It serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that even sophisticated systems can have without strict oversight.
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Written by Donald Smith, Editor at Automotive.fyi
