Jun 2, 2017, 3:10pm ET

Feds say biker gang behind 150 Jeep Wrangler thefts

Thieves apparently got a bit of help from a shady dealer, but authorities have not yet identified which franchise is under investigation.

US law enforcement agencies have accused the Hooligans motorcycle gang of operating a highly effective Jeep theft ring that lifted around 150 Wranglers from the San Diego area since 2014.

Nine alleged gang members have been indicted and charged in the scheme. Three are currently in custody, while the remaining fugitives are believed to be in Mexico.

The Department of Justice claims the thieves targeted specific vehicles to obtain a VIN days before the actual theft. Using secret key codes, they created a vehicle-specific duplicate key to enter the vehicle. Once inside, a handheld electronic device was used to finish programming the duplicate key and allow the SUVs to be driven away.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles was apparently unaware of the trend until law enforcement submitted a list of around 20 Jeeps that had been stolen. The company found records showing that nearly every duplicate key request had been made from the same dealership in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

It is unclear if enforcement agencies are investigating the Mexican dealer or any US franchises for suspected wrongdoing in the case, which apparently required proprietary tools that should only be available to dealers.

Worth around $4.5 million USD, the fleet of vehicles is said to have been transported to Tijuana, Mexico to be sold or stripped for parts.