In Houston, Texas, three men have been apprehended on suspicion of stealing components from large trucks.
The Houston Police Department responded to a surge in thefts of powertrain controllers, prompting them to organize a sting operation on Monday at Houston Freightliner located on the Crosby Freeway.
Javon Noble, Kameron Jones, and Jaylon Cooper were taken into custody after allegedly pilfering seven controllers valued at $56,000, as reported by HPD.
Authorities have requested that Eyewitness News refrain from disclosing the methods used to apprehend the trio.
According to sources within the industry, powertrain controllers have become increasingly scarce due to a shortage of the microchips they contain, thereby increasing their value on the illicit market.
While Poutous Auto Repair typically doesn’t order powertrain controllers, the shop has encountered supply chain disruptions with various other automotive parts.
Owner Mike Poutous noted, “We may be waiting two or three weeks for a specific part, regardless of the manufacturer.”
Noble had previously been arrested in Mississippi in January, where law enforcement discovered him in possession of 60 stolen car parts, including powertrain controllers.
