“Operation Escalading Switch,” a targeted enforcement effort led by the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (VTTF) to combat organized vehicle theft in the Phoenix metropolitan area is being touted as a success.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS), on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, VTTF members, with the support of multiple partner agencies, served coordinated search warrants at seven separate locations across the Valley. The operation resulted in the recovery of 29 stolen vehicles valued at nearly $2.5 million, and the seizure of numerous items—including weapons and cash—linked to proceeds from a sophisticated criminal vehicle theft ring.
AZDPS says the investigation revealed the theft ring operated with “alarming speed and efficiency, stealing high-end vehicles, altering vehicle identification numbers, and listing the vehicles on Turo—a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform—for rental by unsuspecting customers within as little as one week of the initial theft. Profits from this ring have been tracked to accounts in the United States, Mexico, and the Middle East.”
Three suspects, all facing multiple felony charges, were arrested during the operation:
- Ali Ahmad, 29, of Glendale, Arizona
- Delia Rocha, 32, of Glendale, Arizona
- Mario Garcia Rodriguez, 33, of Glendale, Arizona
“This operation is a testament to the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement and the dedication of our Vehicle Theft Task Force,” said Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the AZDPS. “We are committed to protecting Arizona’s communities, and this takedown sends a strong message to those engaged in organized crime.”
