HPD: Multi-state fraud ring linked to stolen exotic cars in Houston warehouse

KHOU, By Orko Manna, April 7, 2026

The nine high-end cars, found in a warehouse in southwest Houston, are valued at around $800,000 total.

HOUSTON — A warehouse in southwest Houston filled with stolen exotic vehicles is at the center of an alleged multi-state fraud ring, according to the Houston Police Department.

Investigators said they recovered nine luxury vehicles — mostly BMWs and Mercedes — valued at approximately $800,000. The cars were found inside a warehouse on Windswept Lane near Dunvale Road.

“All of this was brought to our attention from a tip about one particular car, and then that one led to the other eight,” HPD Auto Theft Crimes Task Force Sgt. Tracy Hicks said.

Police allege the vehicles were either rented from luxury car rental businesses or purchased from dealerships with small down payments by a group of people in California before being transported to Houston.

Talal Obeid was arrested in Houston in connection with the case and appeared in court last week.

“You made some type of false claim for repairs, $63,000 worth, in order to obtain some type of mechanical lien,” a judge said during Obeid’s March 31 probable cause court appearance.

Investigators said Obeid is accused of filing fraudulent mechanic’s liens, claiming extensive repair work had been performed on the vehicles. Authorities allege he then submitted false paperwork in an attempt to obtain Texas titles and keep the cars.

According to police, the vehicles’ owners — including rental companies and financial institutions — received the fake paperwork in the mail.

“Saying, ‘Oh wow, we’ve done $60,000 worth of repairs on your car, and you either pay us or we want to keep the car,’ and so we found out through our investigation that these vehicles have never been worked on,” Sgt. Hicks said.

Police also recovered about $47,000 in cash and other assets from the warehouse, but it is still unclear how the money is connected to the alleged fraud scheme.

The vehicles are being returned to their rightful owners, but investigators said the case remains active. Authorities believe additional suspects may be involved and that more vehicles could be recovered.

“Hopefully, possibly more, as we tie more and more people into this web,” Sgt. Hicks said.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim is urged to contact HPD’s Auto Theft Crimes Division at 713-308-3500.

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