Car Theft Crew Cops Pleas in $5.5M Scheme

A sprawling car theft and title-washing ring that allegedly turned fraudulently financed vehicles into a $5.5 million payday has ended with guilty pleas from 34 defendants, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced.

The massive operation, dubbed “Gingerbread Man,” targeted more than 120 vehicles from dealerships across Suffolk, Nassau, Kings, Westchester and Orange counties between 2022 and 2025, prosecutors said.

At the center were half-brothers Mark McCall, 34, of Centereach, and Keith Agard, 32, of Port Jefferson Station.

Prosecutors said McCall and Agard recruited more than 20 people to obtain vehicles using forged documents, including phony pay stubs and utility bills. Cars were typically financed with little or no money down before being turned over to the alleged ringleaders.

Few, if any, loan payments followed.

The crew then allegedly “washed” the titles, fraudulently wiping away liens before unloading the vehicles through CarMax, Facebook Marketplace and other sales channels. Unsuspecting buyers often had no idea liens remained or titles were fraudulent, prosecutors said.

Authorities estimate the enterprise generated approximately $5.5 million.

“Enterprise corruption is a systematic exploitation of the rules that safeguard our communities,” Tierney said, accusing the defendants of fleecing unsuspecting buyers.

Police arrested 35 defendants, 33 people and two corporations, in June 2025 following a nearly 2½-year investigation.

Searches of McCall and Agard’s homes also turned up three illegally possessed firearms, prosecutors said. A fourth gun was recovered from a co-defendant.

McCall pleaded guilty September 10th to attempted enterprise corruption and two attempted weapons possession charges. He is expected to receive up to seven years in prison.

Agard previously pleaded guilty to enterprise corruption and weapons charges and was sentenced to one to three years behind bars.

Another 32 defendants have pleaded guilty, with most receiving sentences ranging from six months to three years.

One case remains pending.