OSI New Mexico Auto Theft Prevention Authority Team Members: Special Agent in Charge Mark J. Torres, Special Agent Johnny Cappelli, Special Agent Joseph J. Chavez, Special Agent Paul A. Garcia
Special Agent in Charge Mark Torres, Special Agent Johnny Cappelli, Special Agent Joseph Chavez, Special Agent Paul Garcia. Unfortunately, the winners were unable to attend the Glasgow conference
The 2019 President’s Award by IAATI President William Johnson honored a group of Investigators from New Mexico.
On March 9 2018, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez signed House Bill 173 and created a New Mexico Auto Theft Prevention Authority within the jurisdiction of the OSI’s Enforcement
Division. The bill further supports current statewide law enforcement efforts underway through the multi-jurisdictional Auto Theft Task Force led by the Fraud Bureau by providing an oversight
board to provide grant funding for auto theft prevention programs and those prosecuting related crimes.
Superintendent John G. Franchini said. “This added authority and responsibility allows OSI’s teams to further our statewide work of combating auto theft and insurance fraud crimes, as well as increasing public education efforts. ” Working with local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, the Auto Theft Task Force strives to reduce auto crimes as well as work with statewide district attorneys to prosecute new and backlogged cases. The new authority allows OSI to seek private and grant funding to support the task force’s efforts further.
During the week of August 16, 2019, the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance in New Mexico announced an operation that was conducted over the course of one week involving stolen vehicles. During the New Mexico State Fair, the OSI and members of the New Mexico Auto Theft Task Force conducted a joint operation targeting vehicle thieves around the Albuquerque area. During the operation, ten vehicles reported stolen were recovered by the Task Force with 16 arrests made and Agents have cleared an additional 11 felony arrest warrants. Subsequently 11 individuals were indicted in New Mexico District Courts for auto theft related crimes and have failed to appear in court or live up to conditions of release.
