RI man charged with stealing rims from dealerships in multiple states

November 17, 2020 5:04 pm

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WLNE) A Providence, Rhode Island man was indicted on multiple charges in federal court in Connecticut, where prosecutors said he stole rims and tires from luxury cars in dealerships from Maine to New York.

Between May 2015 and August 2018, prosecutors said 54-year-old Michael Frias, working with a group, entered dealerships and removed the parts from a number of cars at dealerships in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and at least one in Johnston, Rhode Island.

According to the indictment, Frias and co-conspirators then sold the tires and rims at discounted prices.

Frias was arrested today and appeared via video conference before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert Spector, before being released on $100,000 bond.

Frias faces one count of conspiracy to transport stolen property, which carries a maximum of five years in prison, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which could carry a maximum 10 year sentence.