⏱ 2 min read
A group of thieves, led by Nigel Criss and Rafael Otero Nieves, stole numerous high-end cars across multiple states, including Pennsylvania and Maryland, to show off at street takeovers and car meetups. The crimes occurred between 2023 and 2026, with the most notable incident happening on October 3, 2023, when the group stole nine luxury vehicles from a dealership in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The motivation behind the thefts was to display the cars at street takeovers, where they would be driven recklessly and shown off on social media.
The investigation into the interstate auto theft conspiracy led to the indictment of 10 co-conspirators, with several already sentenced to prison terms. Nigel Criss, 27, of Philadelphia, received a 54-month sentence, while Rafael Otero Nieves, 41, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 84 months. Other defendants, including Ian Quintana Torres and Shamar Morris, are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty.
The stolen vehicles, typically high-end muscle cars, were taken to street takeovers and car meetups, where they would be driven in a reckless and dangerous manner. The group’s actions not only resulted in significant financial losses for the car owners but also posed a risk to public safety.
The sentences handed down to Criss and Otero Nieves serve as a warning to those involved in organized crime that law enforcement will pursue and prosecute those responsible for such crimes. The investigation and prosecution of this case were likely the result of a collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Organized Crime
- Defendant: Pennsylvania
- Location: PA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
