Car Theft Ring Targeted Doylestown Dealership

More than two dozen people are suspected of being involved in an international car theft ring that stretched from affluent Philadelphia suburbs such as Doylestown all the way to West Africa.

State police on Tuesday announced a series of arrests in the investigation they dubbed "Operation Wheels of Fortune." The 26 suspects from Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland were charged in connection with the theft of at least 57 vehicles, valued at more than $2.3 million – many destined for buyers located overseas. 

The cars were stolen from dealerships in the greater Philadelphia area, including in Bensalem and in Doylestown.

State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said the thieves walked into the dealerships when employees were busy and took keys from desks or counters. They then just went into the lot and hit the lock/unlock button until they found their target vehicle.

“In most cases, dealers and customers were unaware that their keys had been stolen, giving the thieves ample opportunity to either take the vehicle immediately, or return later to drive the car off the lot,” Noonan said.

Some vehicles also were stolen during carjackings, gunpoint robberies and burglaries.

Once stolen, the cars were driven out of the suburbs into the city where buyers could look them over.

One of the ringleaders was identified as Akim Lane, 31, of Folsom, Pa., who police said acted as a middleman between the car thieves and the purchasers.

Another ringleader was Mohamad Fornah, 25, of Philadelphia. Police say he bought several cars from Lane and arranged to ship them overseas.

Those stolen cars were loaded into cargo containers and shipped from Newark to the African countries of Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. There, they would be sold for 20 to 30 percent more than their U.S. sticker price, police said.

The investigation into the theft ring continues. Meanwhile, the case is expected to be tried in Bucks County by prosecutors from the Attorney General's office.