Man sentenced in Michigan car theft ring targeting dealerships, proving grounds

A Jackson County man will spend years in the Michigan Department of Corrections for a string of car thefts.

According to authorities, during the summer of 2023, 24-year-old Josiah Capetillo stole seven vehicles from the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds, the Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, and a number of dealerships across the area.

The vehicles were reportedly sold or stored at a large barn in Marshall, where 24-year-old Brendan McClure operated a chop shop and would dismantle the cars and sell the parts.

Capetillo pleaded guilty to conducting a criminal enterprise in December and was sentenced Friday, March 13, to 3-20 years.

McClure pleaded guilty in January to operating a chop shop and two counts of receiving/concealing a stolen motor vehicle. He will be sentenced in April.