Brazen theft ring that copied keys to 104 cars worth $4 million busted in New York

U.S. auto thefts may have been falling for the past seven years, but hundreds of thousands of vehicles still disappear from their owners every years. A massive sting operation by New York law enforcement officials of a 14-member nationwide theft ring that jacked more than 100 cars by stealing electronic key codes reveals just how advanced the professionals have become.

According to the New York Police Dept. and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the theft ring essentially used the streets of New York as a showroom, taking orders from clients overseas that would specify which vehicle they wanted down to the color and accessories. The gang would have its shoppers fan out on New York streets until they found a model that matched the order -- and when they did, the real magic began.