Two Washington, D.C., residents are facing multiple felony charges after Arlington County police say they uncovered an alleged vehicle theft and fraud operation during a yearlong investigation.
Renaldo Gaines, 35, has been charged with grand larceny auto, possession of a vehicle with serial numbers removed or altered, two counts of receiving stolen goods, two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony and petit larceny.
Sierra Alston, 33, is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony.
The investigation began around 11:39 a.m. on March 18, 2025, when an Arlington County police officer conducting extra patrols in a parking garage in the 800 block of Army Navy Drive spotted a suspicious, unoccupied vehicle. Investigators later determined the vehicle had been stolen from Nevada and was displaying an altered vehicle identification number, or VIN.
Police detained Gaines and Alston when they returned to the vehicle.
According to investigators, that encounter led to a broader investigation into suspected auto theft, fraud and conspiracy. Police allege the two conspired to steal vehicles, obtain stolen vehicles and alter VINs to make the vehicles more difficult for law enforcement to identify.
Investigators also allege that, at the time of the offenses, Alston was employed as a police officer in Maryland and used law enforcement resources to assist Gaines in carrying out the theft and fraud.
Arlington County police obtained arrest warrants for both suspects in July 2026. With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, the pair were taken into custody in Washington, D.C., on July 23. They later turned themselves in to the Arlington County Police Department on July 24.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us.