Police Announce Arrests in Auto Fraud Investigation
Published on July 28, 2026
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Arlington County Police Department is announcing the arrest of two suspects following an over year-long auto fraud investigation. Renaldo Gaines, 35, of Washington, DC is charged with Grand Larceny Auto, Possession of a Vehicle with Serial Numbers Removed or Altered, Receiving Stolen Goods (x2), Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (x2) and Petit Larceny. Sierra Alston, 33, of Washington, DC is charged with Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Conspiracy to Commit a Felony (x2).
At approximately 11:39 a.m. on March 18, 2025, an officer conducting extra checks inside a parking garage in the 800 block of Army Navy Drive observed a parked, unoccupied suspicious vehicle. During the course of the investigation, officers determined the vehicle had been stolen out of Nevada and was displaying an altered vehicle identification number (VIN). Officers detained the two suspects upon their return to the vehicle.
Following the March 2025 incident, officers launched an investigation into the suspects related to auto theft, fraud and conspiracy. The investigation determined the suspects conspired to steal vehicles, acquire stolen vehicles and subsequently alter those vehicle’s VINs to disguise them from detection. At the time of these events, Ms. Alston was employed as a police officer in Maryland and used law enforcement resources to assist Mr. Gaines in the theft and fraud.
In July 2026, officers obtained arrest warrants for the suspects. They were taken into custody in Washington, DC on July 23, 2026, with the assistance of the United States Marshal Service and subsequently turned themselves into Arlington County Police on July 24, 2026.
This remains an active criminal investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington County Police Department’s Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS.
Booking photograph of Ronaldo Gaines
Booking photograph of Sierra Alston