Several men from Maryland and Washington, D.C., are suspected of playing a part in a multi-state car theft ring. Authorities believe that four men were involved in the heist, which left a car dealership in a nearby state without three of its vehicles that had a combined value of $84,977.

In addition, 20-inch tires and rims were allegedly removed from four vehicles during the theft. The 16 rims and tires were valued at $14,349. The heist occurred in August 2011, and one of the men allegedly involved will soon be heading to jail.

The 20-year-old man from Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of possessing an instrument of crime in connection with a theft and a felony charge of conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking. He was sentenced to jail for six to 23 months.

All three vehicles were recovered by the authorities but the rims and tires were not. Each of the four men will be required to repay a portion of the value of those lost goods if convicted.

The four suspects are facing charges in multiple jurisdictions. Authorities believe that the group was stealing the vehicles based on an idea from a movie. The group allegedly made use of a U-Haul truck to transport the rims and tires while choosing roads without tolls so they could transport the stolen vehicles and items back to Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Another suspect -- a 21-year-old man from Maryland -- pleaded guilty prior to the 20-year-old's plea but has yet to be sentenced. A 23-year-old man allegedly involved in the theft is awaiting court actions while the final suspect is currently being prosecuted. Both men are from Maryland, as well. They should be prepared for the other suspects to testify against them. A plea deal often hinges on helping the prosecution convict other suspects.

Source: The Times Herald, "Limerick vehicle heist ends in plea," Carl Hessler Jr., April 18, 2012