‘Criminals from head to toe’: Charlotte men charged after luxury car-theft ring busted
By Chloe McCoy
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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (WYFF) — Two men have been charged in connection with what officials are calling a multi-million-dollar luxury car theft ring that spanned ten states and was funded by “violent” drug trafficking.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of North Carolina says the ring spanned North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Missouri.
Agents arrested 43-year-old Andre Lamar Sumner and 40-year-old Erren Woodson, both of whom pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of marijuana.
According to filings, the FBI and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department had been tracking a high-end stolen vehicle ring involving luxury cars and trucks from car dealerships, rental car companies and private individuals across the United States.
Sumner allegedly operated as a “fence,” or someone who works as the middleman and finds buyers for stolen property, for the company.
Officials say Sumner’s role was to fence high-end stolen vehicles such as BMW, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royce, as well as trucks and other expensive models from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and RAM.
Sumner would then sell the cars at a price much lower than the market price after altering the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and fraudulently registering them in various states.
According to court documents, Sumner physically possessed or had knowledge of at least 31 stolen vehicles estimated to be worth more than $2 million. He also kept some of the vehicles for personal use.
In September 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Sumner’s home and found four stolen luxury cars with fraudulent VINs.
During the search, officers found 71 pounds of marijuana, approximately two pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, three firearms, approximately $118,619, as well as narcotics packaging, money counters, a vacuum sealer and digital scales.
Woodson was also alleged to be an armed drug trafficker who reportedly received eight stolen cars from Sumner and regularly discussed the stolen cars and prices. His involvement as a drug trafficker helped fund the purchase of the stolen cars, reports say.
In December 2023, law enforcement searched Woodson’s home and seized 86 pounds of marijuana, seven pounds of psychedelic mushrooms, nine firearms, $586,000 and two stolen vehicles.
Sumner was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months in prison, and Woodson was sentenced to 4 years and 3 months.
“Sumner and Woodson were criminals from head to toe – driving around in expensive stolen vehicles, engaging in fraud, and dealing drugs with piles of guns and ammunition,” said U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson.
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