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Press Release

Press Release  Avon Man Arrested, Arraigned in Connection With Running a Major Motor Vehicle Theft Scheme

Defendant Indicted on 48 Counts of Possessing Stolen Motor Vehicles, Removing ID numbers and Forging RMV Documents
For immediate release:
8/30/2017
  • Office of Attorney General Maura Healey

Media Contact   for Avon Man Arrested, Arraigned in Connection With Running a Major Motor Vehicle Theft Scheme

Chloe Gotsis

Boston — An Avon man has been arrested and arraigned in connection with allegedly running a major motor vehicle theft scheme, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Authorities arrested Jose Sostre, age 64, on Tuesday in Avon. Following his arrest, Sostre was arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on charges of possession of stolen motor vehicles (three counts) and removal or alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers (nine counts).

On Monday, a Statewide Grand Jury sitting in Suffolk County returned 48 indictments in Suffolk, Norfolk, and Plymouth counties in connection with the investigation on the charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle (six counts), removal or alteration of motor vehicle identification numbers (28 counts), possession of a burglarious tool (one count), misleading a police officer (one count), forging certificates of title and related documents (ten counts), and counterfeit inspection stickers (two counts).

“We allege that this defendant used fake inspection stickers and forged RMV documents to hide the identity of stolen cars he possessed,” said AG Healey. “We are pleased to have worked with our law enforcement partners to shut down this criminal enterprise.”

“Offenses like the ones alleged here can allow unsafe cars on city streets, placing real people at real risk,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley. “Attorney General Healey has our full support moving forward with this case.”

“Motor vehicle theft schemes place all travelers on the road at risk,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Erin C. Deveney. “We appreciate the ongoing work of our partners in law enforcement to uncover, arrest and charge individuals alleged to be involved in fraudulent activity which threatens the integrity of Registry programs and documents, as well as public safety.”

Sostre pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday and was held on $2,500 cash bail. He will be arraigned in Norfolk and Plymouth Superior Courts at later dates.

The case was referred to the AG’s Office by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office due to the multi-county nature of the investigation. The AG’s Office previously prosecuted Sostre in connection with running a counterfeit motor vehicle inspection sticker scheme. Sostre pleaded guilty to the charges in August 2015, he served 90 days of a one-year sentence, and is currently on probation related to that conviction. 

The AG’s investigation began in January 2016, when Massachusetts State Police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle, and ultimately pulled over Sostre driving that vehicle in Brockton. After towing the vehicle, and upon further examination, investigators learned that the vehicle had all identifying numbers removed and replaced with those from a salvage vehicle of similar make and model in an effort to disguise it. Investigators also found a forged application for a duplicate certificate of title for the salvage vehicle. It is alleged that the duplicate title was used to further hide the true identity of the stolen vehicle.

Through the course of the investigation, authorities ultimately found an additional five stolen cars that follow the same criminal scheme, as well as additional criminal activity, including forged RMV documents, misleading statements to police officers, possession of burglarious tools, removal or alteration of vehicle identification numbers, and counterfeit motor vehicle inspection stickers.

Two of the motor vehicles recovered in the investigation had counterfeit motor vehicle inspection stickers placed on them. The state's motor vehicle inspection program, a joint program with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), requires yearly safety tests for all motor vehicles. Passenger vehicles that are less than 15 years old are subject to yearly safety and emission inspections, which can only be conducted at facilities licensed by the RMV. Inspection tests can only be conducted by people licensed by the RMV. The program is designed to ensure only safe and clean vehicles operate on the state's roads.

This investigation remains ongoing. These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Alathea Porter, of the AG’s Environmental Crimes Strike Force, with assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police, National Insurance Crime Bureau, Massachusetts Environmental Police, MassDOT, RMV, and the AG’s Digital Forensics Lab.

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Media Contact   for Avon Man Arrested, Arraigned in Connection With Running a Major Motor Vehicle Theft Scheme

  • Office of the Attorney General 

    Attorney General Maura Healey is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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