Josiah Capetillo, 24, of Jackson, was sentenced on March 13 to three to twenty years in prison for his involvement in a criminal organization responsible for stealing vehicles across Michigan, according to an announcement by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Capetillo had previously pleaded guilty to Conducting a Criminal Enterprise in December 2025. His co-defendant, Brendan McClure, also of Jackson, pleaded guilty on January 29 to one count of Operating a Chop Shop and two counts of Receiving or Concealing a Stolen Motor Vehicle.
The case highlights the impact of organized vehicle thefts on both victims and public safety. The crimes took place during the summer of 2023 at locations including the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds, Firekeepers Casino in Battle Creek, and several dealerships in Rockford, Bay City, Schoolcraft Township, and Wyoming. Capetillo sold stolen vehicles for profit while McClure operated a chop shop in Marshall where he dismantled vehicles and sold their parts.
Capetillo was initially charged by the Department of Attorney General in April 2025 with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and seven counts related to receiving or concealing stolen vehicles. McClure faced similar charges. The investigation was conducted by the Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement (FORCE) Team and the Michigan State Police South West Auto Theft Team.
“Organized criminal networks that carry out vehicle thefts not only have an impact on the victims but also on the overall safety of our state,” said Attorney General Nessel. “I am proud of the work my FORCE Team and Michigan State Police do day in and day out to keep our communities safe and will continue working to dismantle these operations and hold those who participate in these criminal enterprises accountable.”
McClure is scheduled for sentencing on April 17.
The FORCE Team was established by the Attorney General’s office in January 2023 as a first-in-the-nation unit dedicated to targeting criminal organizations that steal products from retailers for resale. Two assistant attorneys general serve full time alongside special agents from the Department of Attorney General and detectives from Michigan State Police. The team partners with federal agencies such as the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and corporate partners including Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Lowe’s.
According to the official website, the Michigan Department of Attorney General advances social efforts through actions against human trafficking and support for vulnerable populations according to its official website. The department focuses on serving residents through initiatives in public service and protection according to its official website. Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general according to its official website. The department exercises authority throughout Michigan to safeguard residents according to its official website and influenced policy by drafting the Clean Slate law in 2019 for expungement opportunities according to its official website.
