A pair of men from Maryland and New York have been indicted in a wide-ranging stolen vehicle scheme that authorities say defrauded car buyers and dealers of over $1 million. Federal charges allege the two men sold stolen and reassembled vehicles with tampered vehicle identification numbers (VINs) across Maryland and other states, with many of the fraudulent transactions traced to Prince George’s County.
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According to the 22-count indictment unsealed in Greenbelt, Charles Edwards Madden, 39, of New Carrollton, and Michael R. Bourne, 33, of New York City, conspired over four years to purchase stolen vehicles from across the country. They then allegedly altered VINs to disguise the vehicles’ origins and sold them to unsuspecting buyers. In many cases, parts from salvaged cars were combined and resold as undamaged vehicles, misleading buyers about their history and safety.
The operation reportedly took place between January 2020 and June 2024, during which dozens of stolen vehicles were trafficked through Maryland. The indictment notes that Prince George’s County served as a hub for transporting and modifying the stolen vehicles. In addition to wire fraud conspiracy and trafficking in stolen vehicles, Madden is specifically charged with operating a chop shop in the county.
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If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, along with up to 10 years each for charges related to stolen vehicles and VIN tampering. Madden also faces an additional 15-year maximum sentence for operating the chop shop. While federal sentencing often results in penalties below the statutory maximums, the charges represent significant potential prison time and a serious federal case.
Authorities stress that those charged are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Residents who may have purchased vehicles from unofficial dealers during this time period should verify VINs and vehicle history to avoid unknowingly owning stolen property.
Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland press release.
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