A routine traffic stop conducted on April 17, 2025, by a deputy with the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office has led to the recovery of two stolen vehicles, both originally reported stolen out of Houston, Texas.
The traffic stop occurred on Highway 149 near Aubrey Paulk Road after a gray Jeep Gladiator was observed operating with a canceled registration. Upon making contact with the driver, the deputy issued a citation and arranged for the vehicle to be towed by a local wrecker service.
During a standard inventory of the vehicle prior to towing, the deputy noticed tampering signs on a factory VIN sticker which are uncommon on original manufacturer labels. This prompted further investigation by detectives, who confirmed that the visible VIN had been altered. A permanent factory VIN, stamped on the vehicle’s frame, revealed that the vehicle was in fact stolen.
Further investigation led deputies to a second vehicle, a Chevrolet Silverado, which had also been purchased by the same individual from an online seller. Upon inspection, the Silverado was found to have a cloned VIN as well. It too was identified as stolen from Houston. Both vehicles were seized and transported to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office. At this point the investigation is still ongoing involving numerous agencies.