Car Theft Scheme During Test Drives
Car thieves are constantly inventing new methods. Recently, an organized criminal group specializing in stealing expensive pickup trucks during test drives was uncovered in Connecticut. A year-long multi-state investigation, led by the Old Saybrook Police Department, resulted in the arrest of one suspect.
According to police, the scheme operated at least since March 2024 and had a clear algorithm. The criminals would arrive at dealerships posing as potential buyers, ask to see specific vehicles, and start them. It was at this moment that the theft occurred.
Distraction Maneuvers and Rapid Key Cloning
As investigators report, the female suspect would sometimes distract the salesperson’s attention by behaving “playfully.” While the dealership employee’s attention was diverted, her accomplice could either swap the genuine key fob for a dummy or connect to the vehicle’s OBDII port and clone a key in less than a minute. After this, the criminals would return later and simply drive the car away.
In other instances, the distraction allowed one of the suspects to connect to the vehicle’s OBDII port and clone a key in less than a minute. Having prepared the ground, they would return later and simply drive the vehicles off the lot.
Chronicle of Specific Cases
On March 12, 2024, a couple matching the suspects’ description visited Monaco Ford in Glastonbury to look at a 2024 Ford F-450 pickup truck valued at $86,515. After the man was handed the key fob to start the engine, everything seemed normal, but the next day the pickup was gone. Investigators believe he swapped the fob for a counterfeit one. An almost identical case occurred in New Jersey about a year later with a Ford pickup worth $115,000.
The investigation gained new momentum on February 5, 2025, when two GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Ultimate pickups disappeared from the lot of Vachon Buick GMC in Old Saybrook. Both key fobs were left behind, immediately raising suspicions.
Investigation Results and Arrest
Detectives soon discovered similar thefts across New England and beyond, all committed using the same script. The investigation established the criminal group’s involvement in at least 20 stolen or targeted vehicles with a total value exceeding $2.4 million.
This trail led to 37-year-old Tiffiney Kight of Jonestown, Pennsylvania. She was arrested in Warren County, New Jersey, extradited to Connecticut on January 15, 2026, and charged with multiple counts of first-degree larceny of a motor vehicle and conspiracy. Her bond was set at $275,000. Information about her possible accomplice has not been disclosed.
“This case highlights the value of strong partnerships between law enforcement and the private sector,” said Old Saybrook Police Chief Michael O’Onofrio. “Organized criminal groups rely on opportunity and anonymity. When businesses, residents, and police share information and remain vigilant, we significantly reduce those opportunities and protect our communities.”
This story demonstrates how vulnerable even seemingly secure places like car dealerships can be to cunning and technically prepared criminals. The success of the investigation was only possible due to coordination between different jurisdictions and the attentiveness of business employees. Such cases force a review of internal security protocols, especially during test drive procedures, where anti-theft technologies must be accompanied by increased staff awareness. The rising cost of vehicles, especially full-size pickups and SUVs, makes them an attractive target for organized groups operating on an interregional level.