Investigation into vehicle theft in Phoenix leads to 5 arrests

PHOENIX — Five people were arrested in an investigation into a vehicle theft in Phoenix, authorities said Tuesday.

The arrests came after detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Vehicle Task Force obtained a search warrant for a Phoenix business on June 25, 2024.

While searching the store near 28th Avenue and Buckeye Road, detectives found several stolen vehicles, the DPS said.

One of the suspects is 49-year-old Susana Grajales. She was accused of operating a car repair shop, car theft and illegal control of a company, among other things. Authorities also arrested 48-year-old Jose Francisco Diaz Celis for receiving stolen goods and car theft.

The three other suspects are accused of auto theft, according to DPS: 46-year-old Jose Lopez Cruz, 60-year-old Daniel Torres Jurado and 44-year-old Eddison Elias Macario.

Cars seized from stolen vehicles during investigations in Phoenix

Investigators executing the search warrant found parts of eight disassembled stolen vehicles. They also found these five intact stolen vehicles:

• 2005 GMC Yukon reported stolen in Phoenix
• 1991 Ford F250 reported stolen in Avondale
• 1999 Chevrolet Silverado reported stolen in Phoenix
• 2012 Nissan Sentra reported stolen in Phoenix
• 2002 Lexus S300 reported stolen in Phoenix

To report stolen cars, call 877-272-8329 or visit the online web portal.

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