13 Arrested in Car Theft Conspiracy

13 local men and woman are arrested, accused of participating in a stolen car conspiracy.  One of them, a Statesboro Police Officer. The suspects are believed to be part of a national theft ring spanning several states, with conspirators in Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.  

A federal Grand Jury in Savannah charges 23 people in all with trafficking stolen vehicles, altering vehicle I'd numbers (VINs), trafficking vehicles with altered VINs, possessing counterfeit vehicle titles with the intent to defraud and giving false statements to federal law enforcement officers.  

The 13 local suspects, 9 from Bulloch County, made their first appearance before a federal judge in Statesboro. Police Chief Stan York tells NEWS 3 the accused police officer, John Jones, is on administrative leave without pay.  Jones has been with the department for seven and a half years. "It's a sad day for us," said Chief York.

Crime and Safety reporter Kaitlyn Pratt will have more on this story, tonight on NEWS 3 at 6.