THREE CONVICTED IN AUTO-THEFT RING

(BROWNSVILLE, TX) Norma Leticia Bermudez, 42, her son, Ravon Bermudez, 18, and Pedro Cesar Rodriguez, 31, all United States citizens residing in Brownsville, Texas, have been convicted for their part in an auto theft ring that plagued the Brownsville area from late 2005 through early 2006, United States Attorney Don DeGabrielle announced today.

Norma Bermudez and her son, Ravon, pled guilty to four federal felony offenses including Conspiracy to Transport and Transportation of Stolen Vehicles in Foreign Commerce. Rodriguez plead guilty to one count of Transportation of Stolen Vehicle in Foreign Commerce. Each of the defendants pled guilty in separate hearings held last week just days before jury selection was scheduled to begin on Friday, August 11, 2006.

Between late 2005 to early 2006, the Brownsville Police Department (BPD) noted an increase in vehicle thefts in the area. Some of the stolen vehicles were later recovered in Matamoros, Mexico.

Brownsville PD initiated surveillance at different parking lots in the Brownsville area in February 2006. On February 25, 2006, while conducting surveillance near the Boot Jack Store in Brownsville, officers saw a juvenile male and a 20 year old male, steal a white 2001 Chevrolet Suburban from a parking lot near the store. Officers moved in and were able to detain the juvenile at the scene, but the 20 year old fled in the Suburban. Officers pursued the driver of the Suburban as he fled at a high rate of speed toward the international bridge bound for Matamoros. The suspect tried to run over BPD and federal agents during the pursuit. The 20 year old sustained a gunshot wound and later died.

The investigation into the theft of the vehicle continued ultimately leading to evidence which proved that the juvenile and 20 year old suspect were involved in an auto-theft ring with Ravon and Norma Bermudez and another and were responsible for stealing over 20 vehicles. Norma’s role was to drive members of the ring around until they located a vehicle to steal. The vehicles were then broken into by other members of the ring and driven to Matamoros, Mexico. This ring, which stole vehicles from Brownsville area restaurants and motels, immediately drove the vehicles to Mexico and sold them in Matamoros for $700 to $1000 each.

Norma Bermudez had admitted driving her son and others involved in the auto theft ring to the various parking lots, and being paid $100 to $150 by her son. Ravon has admitted his involvement in the auto theft ring and to having stolen a green 2003 Chevrolet Suburban on November 11, 2005, from the Dolce Restaurant parking lot in Brownsville, Texas. Some of the other vehicles stolen by one or more members of the ring included a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado from Galaxy Bowl parking lot on January 5, 2006, a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado Z-71 from Club Envy parking lot on January 6, 2006, and a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer from Marriot Hotel parking lot on February 21, 2006.

A third member of the ring, Pedro Cesar Rodriguez, admitted to his involvement in the November 11, 2006, theft of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban.

BPD and FBI agents have confirmed that stolen vehicle reports had being made by the owners of the vehicles in the incidents described by defendants. Between early November 2005 and late February 2006, a total of 38 vehicles were stolen with a combined value of about $775,000. The 16-year-old juvenile and another member of the ring were prosecuted by the local District Attorney’s Office.

United States District Judge Andrew Hanen has set sentencing for all three defendants for November 13, 2006. The Conspiracy conviction carries a maximum punishment of 5 years imprisonment. Each count of Transporting Stolen Vehicles carry a maximum sentence of 10-year sentence. All counts of conviction also carry a maximum fine of $250,000 per count.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau Investigation and the Brownsville Police Department.