Inside an auto theft sting

Victoria Corderi Correspondent • Profile

HOUSTON, TEXAS - On a Tuesday night at Hottyz, a bar in southwest Houston, Texas, the party’s just getting started with plenty of booze and plenty of dancers playing to a rough crowd.

They work hard, play hard: Like this guy, known as “Grenias,” who is celebrating his success at work. He’s planning more business after hours in the bar’s parking lot.

"Grenias": If he really wants to make the money, I’ll take him personally.

And how does he make his money? He’s a car thief. And he recently made a new connection to a fencing operation at this warehouse where he can sell the stolen cars for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Hidden cameras catch him on the job, selling a stolen truck to a fence—someone who routinely buys cars and other stolen goods. He’s obviously found a gold mine: for months he’s been going back again and again.

And there appears to be lots of money to go around. Grenias’ comrades at the club also seem pumped up over the new found st0len car connection.

Meet “Big George”, he’s also been to the warehouse. He has a rap sheet with drug and a theft convictions.

He’s a big talker and he tells the fence he has access to a friend with some special guns.

"Big George": He has a ceramic pistol also. You can take it through the metal detectors and it won’t go through. It won’t beep.

"Big George": That’s the main one I wanted you to see. I know if you see that and you like it, I know you’re gonna want some.

Tio, undercover police: Really?

"Big George" is a regular at Hottyz and this party lasts late into the night. Most of the men are associates or members of street gangs looking to make deals and the fence says he’s their man.

Tio: I’m looking to be able to deal with somebody that I can deal with on a regular basis.

P: Hey, man, I’m here man, you know. It ain’t no problem.

FOR MORE INFORMATION List: Cars most often stolen Don't make it easy for car thieves: Some tips

He tries to convince them that his warehouse is a place where they can turn their crimes into cash. The fence is receiving calls from interested thieves all over town.

A warehouse is a meeting place for all sorts of street hoods with stolen cars to sell— from experienced carjackers, to a sweet-talking under-age girl and seasoned ex-cons.

These thieves are just one reason auto theft is such big business—more than a million cars are stolen each year in the United States, about one every 26 seconds.  It forces insurance rates up and leaves a trail of real victims behind.

But while these thieves spend the night celebrating and planning on future riches from stealing cars in the days to come, there’s something they don’t know about this big new fencing operation: it’s really an undercover operation of the Houston Police Department.

You’re about to get a rare glimpse into the world of undercover cops—with its dangers and disappointments, risks and rewards. The cops will be playing a high stakes game that pits them against thieves—criminals who at any moment might catch on to the sting.

And from start to finish, Dateline’s hidden cameras will be watching.  We’ll take you from the streets to the fencing operation to the hunt for the suspects... and if all goes well, to their capture.

MORE FROM DATELINE

Dateline Section Front

Crossing The Line   Stories of economic struggles in St. Petersburg, Florida A mom's quest: Saving her twin daughters' lives            A block party by the Apollo Theater    Where There's Smoke... Secrets in the Box Dateline Section Front   Add Dateline headlines to your news reader: