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‘Operation Hellcat’: 12 Mass. residents charged in connection with high-end car theft ring, AG says

Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office)
(Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office)

BROCKTON, Mass. — A dozen Massachusetts residents are facing charges in connection with the recent takedown of a high-end car theft ring believed to be responsible for swiping dozens of vehicles worth millions of dollars, authorities announced Monday.

A year-long investigation dubbed “Operation Hellcat” culminated Thursday morning with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office’s Enterprise and Major Crimes Division, Massachusetts State Police, and the Brockton Police Department executing search warrants in 12 locations, including 11 residences and a garage, in Brockton, Fall River, and North Easton, as well as the arraignments of 12 car theft suspects, according to a spokesperson for Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s office.

During Operation Hellcat, Campbell’s office said that investigators from 38 local and federal law enforcement agencies identified participants in thefts of 63 high-end vehicles totaling more than $2.6 million.

“Investigators established a pattern of conduct for the suspects that began as early as June 2023 and continued until as recently as December 2024,” Campbell’s office said in a statement. “Investigators believe these individuals worked in groups of two to ten to coordinate thefts at dealerships throughout the Commonwealth and surrounding states.”

The group of suspects also allegedly used Autel programming devices that allow users to take a blank key fob and create a fully functioning key for the vehicle. After breaking into the vehicles, the suspects connected the Autel device to the vehicle, allowing them to create a new key fob within minutes, authorities alleged.

Investigators also learned that several suspects had allegedly ordered firearm parts including selector switches, which authorities say are conversion devices designed for the sole purpose of converting semi-automatic Glock-style firearms into fully automatic machine guns.

During Thursday’s takedown, investigators said they seized firearms, large-capacity magazines, ammunition, and various threads of evidence tying the individuals to their alleged crimes, including key fobs, key programming devices, and clothing.

The warrants were executed simultaneously by more than 200 members of law enforcement and the following suspects were arrested and arraigned in Brockton District Court, according to Campbell’s office:

  1. James Senat, 19, of Brockton, was ordered held on $100,000 bail on charges of possession of a machine gun, two counts of possession of a large capacity feeding device, possession of a firearm without a license to carry, possession of ammunition without a license to carry, four counts of breaking into and entering a motor vehicle at night, and receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
  2. Andrick Semedo, 20, of Brockton, was ordered held on $50,000 bail on charges of possession of ammunition without a license to carry. He also had a warrant out of Fall River District Court for two counts of breaking into and entering and motor vehicle at night and three counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
  3. Paulo Semedo, 58, of Brockton, was ordered held on $1,000 bail on a charge of possession of a firearm without a license to carry.
  4. Kevin DaGraca, 18, of Brockton, was ordered held on $50,000 bail on charges of two counts of possession of a large-capacity feeding device and possession of a firearm capable of accepting a large-capacity feeding device, possession of ammunition without a license to carry.
  5. Jason Brito, 20, of Brockton, was ordered held on $50,000 on charges of two counts of possession of a firearm without a license to carry, possession of ammunition without a license to carry, and possession of burglarious tools. He also had warrants out of Natick District Court for breaking into and entering a motor vehicle at night and conspiracy.
  6. Nelshon Pires, 19, of Brockton, was ordered held on $50,000 on charges of three counts of possession of burglarious tools and receiving a stolen motor vehicle. His bail was revoked on previous charges related to receiving a stolen motor vehicle, receiving stolen property under $1,200, and possession of burglarious tools.
  7. Jalen Clarke-Cox, 19, of Brockton, was ordered held on $5,000 bail on charges of four counts of breaking into and entering a motor vehicle at night, receiving stolen property under $1,200, receiving stolen motor vehicle, and possession of burglarious tools.
  8. Derek Gaillot, 18, of Brockton, was ordered held on $5,000 bail on charges of three counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle.
  9. Claudio Medina, 20, of Brockton, was ordered held on $5,000 bail on charges of breaking into and entering a motor vehicle at night and larceny over $1,200.
  10. Jaydin Rodrigues, 20, of Brockton, is charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle. He was released on his own recognizance.
  11. Andy Gomes, 23, of Brockton, will be charged with possession of burglarious tools at a later date.
  12. Micaiah Taylor, 21, of North Easton, was ordered held on $5,000 bail on charges of three counts of receiving a stolen motor vehicle.

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