Car-Dealership Tire Theft Scheme: Man And Woman Wanted In JeffCo

GOLDEN, CO – Warrants have been issued for a man and woman in Jefferson County after a grand jury indicted the pair for allegedly stealing tires and wheels from auto dealerships to sell on the internet.

Brian Allen Kassal, 33, and Sarah Jessica Maksimovic, 27, are accused of a scheme where the pair entered the property of nine different metro-Denver car dealerships, then stole wheels and tires off new cars, "often leaving the cars on cinder blocks," according to the Jefferson County District Attorney's office. Kassal allegedly would "list the tires and wheels on Craigslist to sell," a Thursday press release said. Kassal was indicted on 13 counts.

How did they do it? The grand jury indictment is not clear on how Kassal managed to allegedly mount a dozen vehicles onto cinderblocks and remove the wheels, which can sell for more than $500 each.

Here are the dealerships where wheels were reported stolen:

• Medved Chevrolet, Jefferson County - 8 wheels and tires, worth $4,716.96.
• Auto Nation Subaru, Jefferson County - 12 wheels and tires, worth $8,085.44
• Mile High Acura, Denver - 12 wheels and tires, worth $16,919.00
• Shortline Mitsubishi, Arapahoe County – 16 wheels and tires, worth $13,156.88
• Landmark Lincoln, Arapahoe County - 4 wheels and tires, worth $6,365.40
• Mile High Acura, Arapahoe County – 4 wheels and tires, worth $4,106.87

Maksimovic allegedly tried to sell a set of tires and wheels to an undercover agent on the internet. For that, she is indicted with counts of theft and conspiracy.

The investigation was conducted by the Golden Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, and the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Warrants have been issued for the arrest of Kassal and Maksimovic with bails set at $65,000 and $2,000, respectively, the DA's office said.

Image: Brian Kassal via Jefferson County District Attorney's Office

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