At the Champlain Port of Entry, officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended a stolen 2020 Land Rover Range Rover worth around $100,000.
The incident unfolded on March 9, when a 36-year-old U.S. citizen tried to enter the United States but was initially denied entry to Canada by the Canada Border Services Agency due to insufficient documentation. CBP officers directed him and his vehicle to a secondary inspection for a more detailed review of the vehicle’s papers.
Upon closer inspection during the secondary review, officers scrutinized the vehicle’s registration for authenticity and conducted a thorough search. They uncovered a mismatched vehicle identification number (VIN) hidden in the car, which contradicted the initial documents presented. A further check of this secondary VIN confirmed the vehicle was stolen from Nassau County Police Department.
Champlain Acting Port Director Todd Bulson highlighted the pivotal role of CBP officers in detecting and preventing illegal activities at the border through their expertise and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, contributing to community safety.
Further investigations also revealed the documents provided for the vehicle were fake. Given its make, model, and year, the vehicle’s value was estimated to exceed $100,000. Subsequently, the driver was handed over to the New York State Police, facing serious charges including possession of a forged instrument, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number, and criminal possession of stolen property.–Web Desk