Local News in Brief : 4 Suspects in Car-Theft Ring Enter Guilty Pleas
Four men suspected of being members of a car-theft ring that, authorities said, has plagued the San Fernando Valley since May, pleaded guilty Tuesday to stealing an automobile from a Van Nuys street in November.
All four men were charged with one felony count of car theft and faced up to three years in state prison. In exchange for the guilty pleas, however, prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence of one year for each.
Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan Haber ordered the four to appear for sentencing April 4.
Three of the men--Thanh Nguyen, 29, of Canoga Park; Thai Nguyen, 19, of Granada Hills and Tony Nguyen, 25, of Canoga Park--are in custody. Authorities said they are not related. The fourth man, Hoangkha Duong, 20, of Simi Valley has been released on $20,000 bail.
Los Angeles Police Detective Mike Miller said the four were part of a ring responsible for stealing about 75 cars, primarily Toyotas, over the last 10 months. Seven others are awaiting trial on theft charges, Miller said.
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