RI Man Admits To Stealing, Selling Luxury Car Tires, Rims From Dealerships

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Rhode Island man admitted in federal court to stealing and selling luxury car tires and rims from car dealerships across the Northeast.

Michael Farias, 56, of Providence pleaded guilty Wednesday in Connecticut District Court to interstate transportation of stolen property.

The thefts occurred between May 2015 and August 2018. Prosecutors said Farias and others stole tires and rims from car dealerships in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and Maine. The co-conspirators then sold the stolen goods to others around the United States.

The tires and rims Farias admitted to stealing were taken from four 2016 Chevrolet Suburbans at a car dealership in Darien, Connecticut.

Farian was arrested in November 2020. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. He was released on a $100,000 bond until he's sentenced.