The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced that the alleged ringleader of a multi-state luxury vehicle title-washing operation has been apprehended in Mexico after a three-month manhunt.
Authorities claimed 44-year-old Anthony E. Troncoso was arrested in Mexico City in connection with an alleged criminal enterprise that made more than $1 million by selling stolen high-end vehicles from Florida. Troncoso was extradited to Pennsylvania, arraigned in Dauphin County, and placed on $1 million cash bail.
Pablo Correa, 40, an alleged co-conspirator in the case, was also apprehended in Mexico and arraigned in Dauphin County, where he was held on a $500,000 cash bond. Both men are set for preliminary hearings on November 18.
According to Attorney General Dave Sunday, the inquiry began in August, when the 52nd Statewide Investigating Grand Jury issued charges against Troncoso and 12 others. Prosecutors claim that the group stole more than two dozen expensive vehicles, fabricated ownership and insurance documents, and “washed” the titles through fraudulent transactions at licensed tag companies, notaries, and PennDOT offices in Berks, Dauphin, and Lehigh counties. Between 2022 and 2023, the vehicles, which included models from Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Land Rover, Audi, Lexus, and Infiniti, were sold to private buyers, dealerships, and auctions.
Troncoso is charged with nine felonies and six misdemeanors, including corrupt organizations, washing vehicle titles, and theft by fraud. Other alleged members of the enterprise, including relatives and associates, face similar allegations.
Attorney General Sunday praised the cooperation of several law enforcement organizations, including the Pennsylvania State Police, county detectives in Berks and Lehigh, the New York City Police Department, and the Miami-Dade Auto Theft Unit.
All defendants are deemed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.