3 arrested in Philadelphia car theft ring

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Investigators say a trio has been arrested in connection with stealing nearly two dozen work vehicles during the past month or so, mainly contractor trucks.

Police say they were onto the alleged thieves for a couple of weeks, but then the suspects made some costly mistakes.

Michael Pritt and Matthew Smith targeted Ford trucks and vans, police say.

"It appears they were targeting the work vans specifically for the items inside of the vehicle like tools and things of that nature," said Lt. Jonathan Josey, Philadelphia Police Major Crimes.

Police say while the suspects could steal, they couldn't drive.

Two weeks ago, Pritt allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle into two occupied cars at Kensington and Schiller.

Two beat cops captured him.

Smith crashed another stolen vehicle. He got away, but left his cell phone behind, putting detectives on his scent.

Then on Tuesday he was caught in a stolen Ford Taurus.

"Most of the time it was late at night, the overnight hours. It actually ran the gamut of locations. It went from Northeast Philadelphia to the Kensington section and even also some places in South Philadelphia," said Josey.

Pritt's younger brother Kyle is also accused in several thefts.

Police say one night the suspects stole four vehicles. After taking valuables they dumped them in the 2000 block of East Madison Street.

Police executed search warrants early this morning at the suspects' homes in Kensington.

Inside detectives say they found tools and other items allegedly stolen from the victims.

"This is still an ongoing investigation, and at some time we will probably reach out to the public to try and get everyone's merchandise and things we've recovered back to them," said Josey.

Police say most, but not all of the stolen vehicles were recovered.