Cops say they have smashed city-wide auto theft ring

Four men were charged with having stolen cars after police busted an alleged West Side auto-theft ring that operated around the city, according to a Chicago police statement.
The men stole luxury vehicles and moved them to a chop shop in the 4200 block of West Cermak Road, where the cars were broken down for parts, police said. The parts were sold for cash, while the stripped-down vehicles were sold as scrap.
Police believe the men stole five to 10 vehicles each week. Harrison Area detectives dubbed their four-month investigation "Operation Pay Back."
The men were identified as: Theo Poole, 33, of the 300 block of South Loomis Avenue; Tiresias Young, 32, of the 300 block of South Loomis; Justin Abraham, 27, of the 1200 block of North Hamlin Avenue; and James Safford, 45, of the 300 block of West 104th Street.
Poole, Abraham and Safford were arrested on Wednesday, and Young was arrested on Thursday, according to records.

Poole, Young and Abraham were charged with three counts each of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, while Safford was charged with one felony count of removing a vehicle identification number, police said. The men appeared in court yesterday and were ordered held in lieu of $100,000 bond.