Two East Bay men charged with stealing dozens of cars as part of $4M theft ring
MARTINEZ >> Two Contra Costa County residents have been charged with stealing at least 84 cars as part of what authorities describe as a $4 million auto theft ring, police announced.
Pittsburg resident Dominique Vontee Mills, 38, and Bay Point resident Melvin Deshawn Zachery, 23, were charged last month with conspiracy, grand theft auto and possessing stolen property. A total of 57 charges were filed, covering a time period that started in March 2014 and ended last August.
Though 84 thefts are alleged in court records, police say the two defendants are suspected of stealing more than 100 cars.
According to court records, the pair really liked the Chevrolet Camaro; Camaros were stolen in nearly all of the 84 thefts cited by prosecutors. California Highway Patrol investigators said in court documents that Mills and Zachery are suspected of stealing cars; stripping out valuable parts, such as engine components; and selling them.
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton said in a written statement in a CHP news release that the suspects would observe a vehicle they wanted to steal and sometimes trail the victims to their homes.
“The thefts occurred at car dealerships or at the victim’s residence,” Becton said. “We want the public to remain on alert and be aware of their surroundings.”
According to police, it was common for Mills to replace a target car’s engine control module — an apparatus that serves as a car’s computer — to steal the cars.
Both defendants allegedly were seen on security video stealing cars on numerous occasions.
Once Mills was identified as a suspect, police used the GPS signal in his two phones to track him down, according to authorities. When he was arrested Aug. 24, he snapped his flip phone in half and threw it away, police said.
CHP led the investigation, but more than 40 law enforcement agencies were involved.
The case remains active, and police say anyone with information can call them at 707-917-4491 or reach the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office at 925-957-8766.