Police busted a nearly million dollar auto theft ring here in the Lowcountry. The month long investigation spanning three states lead to the arrest of a Charleston Pastor.

Police have made a total of five arrests but the investigation is far from over. They estimate close to 40 stolen cars are involved and possibly dozens of innocent victims.

A tip sent investigators to who they say could be the heart of the operation. 34-year-old Hason Fields. He's charged with the possession of four stolen vehicles, plus police say they found numerous duplicate vehicle titles inside his Goose Creek home.

 

"I feel as though I'm a victim just like everybody else was," said suspect Hason "Tory" Fields. "I have never stolen a car in my life. I bought a car, that's what I did. What happened behind that part, I ain't got nothing to do with that."

The scheme police say, started with vin numbers that came from several wrecked vehicles sitting in salvage yards.  They believe Fields and possibly several others obtained those numbers online, took them to the Department of Motor Vehicles and received duplicate titles.

"They would have a good title for the vehicle, a good tag and a good registration," said Det. Jason Forsyth, North Charleston Police.

The suspects then stole vehicles matching the descriptions of the wrecked vehicles and registering them under the fraudulent titles that had already cleared the DMV.

 

"So when our officers were pulling over vehicles, the tag comes clear, the registration clear, so unless an officer checks the vin number on the vehicle, it's gonna come back clear," Det. Forsyth explained.

Investigators worry several unsuspecting buyers have been scammed. Officers are urging any private sale purchasers to double check their vin numbers and ensure they're not driving a stolen car. If you suspect you may be a victim, you can either call Crime Stoppers at 554-1111 or the police in your jurisdiction.

Officers say the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to prove you weren't involved. The other four arrested are Sonya Jones, Michelle Clark, Antonio Clark and Krishna Myers, all of North Charleston and all were charged with possession of a stolen vehicle.