2 arrested for exporting vehicles through Valley ports in nationwide auto theft ring

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two men were arrested for their roles in a nationwide auto theft ring that allegedly involved exporting vehicles through ports of entry in the Rio Grande Valley.

The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that 42-year-old Sadiel Noa-Aguila and 36-year-old Miguel Baez-Echevarria used electronic devices to steal vehicles.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral, the vehicles were believed to have been stolen using clone key fobs.

The complaint adds that the suspects would equip the vehicles with fake license plates and change the vehicle identification number before reselling them.

Several vehicles were also allegedly exported to Mexico through ports of entry in Hidalgo County and El Paso.

In October 2024, Noa-Aguila allegedly attempted to export a stolen vehicle from Denver in Hidalgo.

The charges allege Baez is linked to the theft of at least 15 additional vehicles from airports and metropolitan areas, including Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Fort Lauderdale.

Below is a graph by the U.S. District Court showing examples of vehicles searched by accounts associated with e-mails and their corresponding theft date.

The thefts occurred between May 2023 and February 2025.

The auto theft ring is estimated to have stolen vehicles worth millions of dollars in total.

Both suspects were charged with aiding and abetting the exportation of stolen motor vehicles.

Noa-Aguila, who resided in Pharr, appeared before a judge on Thursday morning.

Sadiel Noa-Aguila (Photo courtesy of the Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office)

Baez, who resided in Las Vegas, also faces charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

He is expected to appear before a judge in Las Vegas.