HARRISBURG, PA — A man accused by state investigators of leading a vehicle title-washing operation tied to approximately $1.6 million in stolen vehicles was captured Thursday in Philadelphia County after spending nearly two months as a fugitive, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that 45-year-old Reginald Manson Jr. was taken into custody at a hotel in Philadelphia County following a joint investigation involving the Attorney General’s Organized Crime and Insurance Fraud sections, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Philadelphia Police Department.
According to investigators, the probe — dubbed “Operation Zombie VIN” — resulted in charges against 10 individuals, including one juvenile. Authorities allege the organization was responsible for stealing approximately 50 vehicles and concealing their origins by assigning vehicle identification numbers from decommissioned vehicles before reselling them.
Investigators identified Manson as the alleged leader of the operation. He is charged with felony counts including corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property, forgery, and related offenses.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, Manson was arraigned Thursday night and denied bail. Authorities said the presiding district judge cited community safety concerns and Manson’s alleged history of absconding.
Investigators also charged Manson with felony drug-trafficking offenses after approximately 2.5 kilograms of methamphetamine were allegedly recovered from a storage locker in Montgomery County during the investigation.
Authorities said nine other individuals were charged in connection with the investigation: Kimekia Mayo, Tysherah Dixon, Henry Williams Jr., Manaya Williams, Darryl Sturgis, Lamont King, Montez Wilson, Shyleel Brister, and a male juvenile. According to investigators, all except Sturgis have been taken into custody or arraigned and face corrupt organizations and related charges tied to their alleged roles in the operation.
The Attorney General’s Office said the cases will be prosecuted by its office.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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