A theft ring that has been fraudulently buying trailers around Central Texas has been busted.
This follows a multi-month investigation by the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force, which includes the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
They claim the suspects stole trailers worth more than $150,000.
Jimmie Goodson is the primary suspect. He is suspected of utilizing phony IDs, stolen identities, and cashier’s checks to illegally purchase trailers.
“You go to the business, you present the check. You get the product. By the time they run the check, it’s coming back fake. They’ve already got the product; they’re out and down the road,” Capt. Howard Stinehour with the Heart of Texas Auto Theft Task Force explained. “We just hope the businesses will learn to clear the check before they release the items.”
Goodson was detained in Kyle while attempting to conduct a fraudulent transaction. He’s being held at the Hays County Jail.
The investigation covered Central Texas, including trailer thefts and recovery in Burnet, Marble Falls, Kingsland, Georgetown, Buda, Mexia, and Blanco, as well as out-of-state ties to Washington and Idaho.
License plate readers helped locate the suspect vehicle. Initially, investigators had no license plate number for the suspect truck, but they used characteristics such as unusual damage to scan the Flock license plate reader system, allowing them to trace it throughout various counties.
“We’re just tracking if something happens, we have a source to say, hey, we’re looking for a particular vehicle that matches this description at this time and this location, which helps us solve the crimes, which helps the victims,” he said. “The folks that are concerned with license plate readers cutting into their [privacy], that’s not the issue. The real thing is it’s helping us solve these crimes and get these people off the street.”
Goodson is facing the following charges:
- Theft (multiple counts, multiple jurisdictions)
- Forgery
- Fraudulent Use / Possession of Identifying Information
- Possession of Counterfeit Instruments
- Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
- Identity Theft
Authorities say Jorge Ramirez was an accomplice. He’s facing charges of:
- Theft
- Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
- Providing False Statements During a Criminal Investigation
According to investigators, he assisted in the transportation of stolen trailers over county lines and the storage of items in several places.
More charges are anticipated to be filed. Some of the equipment is yet to be recovered.
It is probable that there are further victims of this crime ring.
If you suspect you have been victimized, contact your local criminal enforcement agency. They can work with the Auto Theft Task Force to see if it is related to this case.