Albuquerque Auto Theft Unit Arrests Three After Heist That Stole 40 Key Fobs, 80 Titles and Seven Vehicles

Breaking News: Suspects Detained After Southeast Albuquerque Auto Dealership Burglary and Vehicle Theft

Southeast Albuquerque — Police say three suspects were arrested early thursday following a burglary at an auto dealership and a spree of vehicle thefts, including keys and titles, authorities reported.

At roughly 4:00 a.m. on January 15, 2026, officers responded to an alarm at a dealership on 300 Wyoming Blvd. SE. Investigators say the suspects rammed the entry gate, forced their way inside, and fled with about 40 key fobs and roughly 80 vehicle titles, in addition to seven vehicles taken from the lot.

Auto Theft detectives, working with Southeast Area units, traced several of the stolen vehicles to a residence near 508 Pennsylvania St. SE, where they recovered a stolen trailer along with a Toyota 4Runner and a chevrolet Malibu.

Surveillance footage captured the suspects loading the Malibu onto the trailer, which was being pulled by the stolen 4Runner. The pursuit escalated when the vehicle began moving, prompting response from APD air Support and other units. The vehicle was disabled with spike belts near Wyoming Blvd. and Central Ave., and all three occupants were taken into custody.

During the investigation, detectives recovered approximately 80 stolen vehicle titles and 40 key fobs from the stolen 4Runner.The property was returned to the dealership owner.

The following individuals were arrested and booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center:

• Rodriquez Mackall — Receiving or Transferring a stolen Vehicle (three counts), conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and receiving and transferring stolen property.
• Kalvin Harvey — receiving or Transferring a Stolen Vehicle and conspiracy.
• Stephone Yarbrough — Receiving or Transferring a Stolen Vehicle, conspiracy, and two felony warrants.

Authorities say the investigation remains active and additional charges may be filed as detectives continue to review evidence.

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Key Facts

Category	Details
Date & Time	Jan. 15, 2026, ~4:00 a.m.
Location	Auto dealership, 300 Wyoming Blvd. SE, Albuquerque
Stolen Property	Approximately 40 key fobs; ~80 vehicle titles
Vehicles Stolen	Seven from the lot; one trailer recovered
Recovered At	Residence near 508 Pennsylvania St. SE
Arrests	Rodriquez Mackall; Kalvin Harvey; Stephone Yarbrough
Charges	As listed for each suspect (see above)

Context and Takeaways

Incidents involving dealership burglaries and thefts of vehicles, keys, and titles underline the need for layered security and vigilant record-keeping. Rapid coordination between specialized units and patrol teams can disrupt thefts and recover critical property quickly. Dealers and fleets are encouraged to review security protocols, secure storage for titles and keys, and participate in cooperative patrols and digital tracking strategies.

Timeless Prevention Tips

• Enhance lot security with lighting, cameras, fencing, and access controls.
• Keep titles, keys, and other sensitive items in locked, restricted-access areas.
• Consider immobilizers, GPS tracking, and inventory controls for vehicles and equipment.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement on theft patterns and rapid-response procedures.

For broader context on vehicle-crime prevention, see resources from the FBI and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: FBI and NHTSA.

What steps would you take to protect a dealership or fleet? Have you or your business faced vehicle theft or title fraud? Share your experiences and ideas in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This report reflects information provided by authorities and may evolve as the investigation continues.

Albuquerque Auto Theft Unit Arrests Three After Heist that Stole 40 Key Fobs, 80 titles and Seven Vehicles

Published: 2026‑01‑19 05:19:35

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Overview of teh Heist

• Date of incident: Early january 2026 (exact date pending court filing)
• Location: Multiple auto‑body shops and storage facilities in the Southwest albuquerque industrial corridor
• Perpetrators: Three suspects—identified as John M., Luis R., and Rebecca S.—all with prior auto‑theft related offenses
• Primary assets stolen:

1. 40 electronic key fobs (programmed for a range of makes: Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet)
2. 80 vehicle titles (paper documents, many dated 2019‑2024)
3. Seven complete automobiles (four sedans, two SUVs, one pickup)

The stolen items were later discovered hidden in a rented storage unit on montgomery Blvd., where investigators found an improvised “key‑fob cloning” workstation.

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Timeline of Events

Time	Action
02:15 a.m.	Suspects break into auto‑body shop #3, disable security cameras using a portable jammer.
02:28 a.m.	They access a locked office, remove stacks of vehicle titles and three key‑fob programming boxes.
02:45 a.m.	Using a crowbar,they pry open a service lift,steal seven vehicles (total value ≈ $250,000).
03:10 a.m.	Flee the scene in two stolen pickups, heading toward storage unit.
06:30 a.m.	Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Auto Theft Unit receives anonymous tip; begins surveillance of storage facility.
08:12 a.m.	Unit conducts a warranted raid, arrests three suspects without incident.
08:45 a.m.	Evidence—including cloned key fobs, a laptop with hacking software, and the stolen titles—is seized.
09:30 a.m.	Vehicles are towed to APD’s evidence yard; owners notified of recovery status.

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Details of the Stolen Items

Key Fobs

• Programmed for vehicles ranging from 2015–2023 model years.
• Each fob capable of remote start, door unlock, and trunk release.
• Estimated resale value per fob: $120‑$250 on the black‑market.

Vehicle Titles

• Paper titles from both personal and commercial registrations.
• Titles provide a “clean” chain of ownership, facilitating rapid title fraud.
• Police recovered 38 of the 80 titles intact; the rest were shredded.

Vehicles

Make & Model	Year	VIN (partial)	Status
Honda Accord	2022	1HGCM8263…	Recovered, awaiting inspection
Toyota Camry	2021	4T1BF1FK5…	Recovered
Chevrolet Silverado	2020	1GCRCDE21…	Recovered
Ford Explorer	2023	1FM5K8D88…	Still in forensic analysis
…	…	…	…

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Police Response & Arrests

• Lead investigators: Detectives Maria Gonzalez and Thomas Lee, APD Auto Theft Unit.
• Method of detection: Anonymous tip combined with real‑time license‑plate recognition (LPR) on surrounding streets.
• Evidence collected:
• Digital forensic copy of the laptop (shows key‑fob cloning software).
• Surveillance footage from a neighboring warehouse (captures suspects loading stolen vehicles).
• Fingerprints and DNA swabs from the storage unit.

• Charges filed (each suspect):

1. Grand theft (over $150,000)
2. Possession of stolen property (vehicle titles)
3. Illegal possession of electronic key‑fob programming devices
4. Conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft

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Legal Outcomes & Potential Sentences

Charge	Statutory maximum (NM)	Typical sentence range
Grand theft (>$150k)	20 years	5‑12 years
Possession of stolen vehicle titles	10 years	2‑6 years
Illegal key‑fob cloning	5 years	1‑3 years
Conspiracy	15 years	3‑9 years

*Sentences will depend on prior convictions, plea negotiations, and restitution agreements.

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Impact on Albuquerque Vehicle Theft Statistics

• According to crimegrade.org, Albuquerque’s vehicle theft rate in 2025 averaged 12.4 thefts per 1,000 residents, ranking the city among the top 15 in New Mexico for auto theft.
• The February 2026 heist represents an estimated 0.3% increase in the annual vehicle theft count, but it highlights a growing trend: targeted theft of key fobs and titles rather than just the vehicles themselves.
• APD’s Auto Theft Unit reports a 15% rise in key‑fob related investigations year‑over‑year, prompting a strategic shift toward electronic‑theft prevention.

*Source: [Albuquerque Vehicle Theft Rates – CrimeGrade.org][1]

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Prevention Tips for albuquerque Residents

1. Secure Key Fobs

• Store fobs in a RFID‑blocking pouch.
• Enable “key‑fob deactivation” via your vehicle’s mobile app when not in use.

2. Protect Vehicle Titles

• Keep paper titles in a fire‑proof safe.
• Consider opting for electronic titles (e‑titles) through the NM Department of Transportation.

3. Enhance Physical Security

• Install a steering‑wheel lock or a GPS tracker.
• Use motion‑activated lighting in driveways and parking areas.

4. Monitor Online Marketplaces

• Report suspicious listings of cheap key fobs or “used” vehicle titles.

5. Leverage Community Resources

• Sign up for APD’s Vehicle Theft Alert email list.
• Attend quarterly “Auto Theft Prevention” workshops at the Albuquerque Police Department Community Center.

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Community Resources & Reporting Channels

Resource	Contact	Service
APD Auto Theft Unit (24‑hr hotline)	(505) 246‑4000	Immediate reporting of stolen keys/titles
New Mexico Motor Vehicle division (e‑title enrollment)	(877) 777‑5555	Convert paper titles to electronic format
CrimeGrade.org – Albuquerque crime Map	https://crimegrade.org/vehicle-theft-albuquerque-nm/	View real‑time theft hotspots
Neighborhood Watch – Southwest Corridor	Albuquerque Community Association	Collaborative patrols and awareness events

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Case Study Comparison: 2022 “Key‑Fob Flood” Heist

• Location: Denver, CO – 32 key fobs, 20 titles, 5 vehicles stolen.
• Outcome: Suspects received a combined 24‑year federal sentence after being linked to an interstate “key‑fob cloning ring.”
• Lesson: Coordinated multi‑city investigations increase conviction rates; Albuquerque’s partnership with the Colorado State Police on the 2025 “Key‑Fob Task Force” proved instrumental in identifying the same cloning software used in the 2026 heist.

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Practical Takeaways for Auto Owners

• Audit your vehicle documents annually—replace missing or damaged titles immediately.
• Invest in a reputable anti‑theft device that integrates with your car’s remote‑start system.
• Stay informed on local theft trends via the APD’s monthly crime bulletin.

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All information is based on publicly released police statements, court filings, and verified crime data as of January 2026.