Jeep Theft Ring Busted: Arrest of Lupian, Quezada, and Sanchez
A series of thefts involving Jeep vehicles has been a cause for concern, with most incidents occurring during late-night hours. The stolen Jeeps were traced to Mexico shortly after the thefts took place. The suspects behind these thefts were identified as Jesus Lupian, Omar Quezada, and Antonio Sanchez, who were apprehended through a surveillance operation conducted by Carlsbad Police and the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force. The operation utilized the city's Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to track down the suspects.
The investigation culminated on June 4, 2026, when a stolen Jeep believed to be linked to the suspects was spotted in Hillcrest. Lupian, the driver, attempted to evade law enforcement, leading to a high-speed pursuit on Interstate 5. The chase came to an end in Chula Vista after Lupian lost control of the vehicle and rolled over near H Street and Broadway. Lupian was taken into custody following a medical evaluation, while Quezada and Sanchez were arrested shortly thereafter.
The trio faced charges related to vehicle theft, conspiracy to commit vehicle theft, and possession of burglary tools. Law enforcement agencies in San Diego have observed a rise in car thefts involving newer-model Jeeps, with Carlsbad alone reporting at least 12 stolen Jeeps since August 2025. The authorities are actively working to address this trend and apprehend those responsible for these crimes.