Orland Park Woman Charged In Statewide Vehicle Theft Ring

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park woman has been criminally charged in what appears to be an organized statewide car theft ring, according to a news release from Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office. The woman is accused of organizing the scheme in conjunction with a Lansing man that four men carried out, the release states.

According to Raoul's office, Sierra Wells, 27, of Orland Park, and Anthony Brown, also known as rapper Tony Sosa, 40, of Lansing, are the coordinators of the criminal offense that took place in fall 2020. According to the release, Raoul alleges that Brown and Wells devised a scheme to obtain high-value vehicles by defrauding car dealerships and financial institutions using stolen and fraudulent identities.

The release states that Wells provided fake identities to Brown, who used money and drugs to recruit Kevin Bandy, 48, DeAngelo Hackney, 30, James Krout, 47 and Zebedee Moore, 48. According to Raoul's office, the group allegedly utilized the fake identities to apply for financing at car dealerships and purchase luxury vehicles. The enterprise that stretched across Illinois resulted in the loss of around $100,000 for car dealerships and financial institutions, according to the release.

“These indictments allege that the defendants orchestrated and executed a complex fraud operation that crossed county and even state lines to steal expensive luxury vehicles and defraud car dealerships and financial institutions in the process,” Raoul said. “I appreciate the critical support from our federal and local law enforcement partners, as well as our retail partners. Today’s charges demonstrate the importance of partnerships and collaborations in order to better protect communities and hold individuals accountable for these complex criminal operations.”

Wells and Brown were charged with counts of identity theft, aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, organizing a continuing financial crimes enterprise, theft by deception, financial institution fraud and forgery. If convicted, Brown and Wells could receive probation or face up to six to 30 years in prison, according to the release.

Bandy, Hackney, Krout and Moore were charged with counts of identity theft, aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle, theft by deception, financial institution fraud and forgery. All four could face two to 15 years in prison, the release states.

According to the release, Raoul’s office was supported during the investigation and prosecution by the offices of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin’s and Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx.

“The number of luxury vehicle thefts in Chicago and the surrounding counties has skyrocketed this past year,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said. “The organizers of these schemes are smart, well organized and determined to obtain these vehicles and move them as fast as they can. That is why it is crucial that we all work together, both public and private sectors, to not only hold these individuals accountable, but to also prevent the thefts from occurring in the first place. I commend Attorney General Raoul and his staff for their work on this case and for taking proactive measures to combat this costly epidemic.”

According to the release, Raoul’s office worked with the Barrington Police Department and West Chicago Police Department to investigate a pattern of seemingly isolated retail automobile thefts. The investigation spanned years and involved thefts occurring in various Illinois counties and other states.

“These indictments should serve as a warning to those who choose to circumvent the law to make illegal profits,” Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said. “The CCSAO was pleased to support the coordinated efforts of our state, local and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation, as we work together to address community concerns around crime not only in Cook County but across Illinois.”

Raoul’s office partnered with Illinois law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Secret Service, as well as entities in the banking, insurance and automotive industries to identify and charge the organizers of this crime.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.