Solano County Man Arrested in Connection with Alleged “VIN-Switching” Stolen Vehicle Operation
SOLANO COUNTY, CA — “The Solano County Auto Theft Task Force, comprising Sheriff’s Office Detectives and a California Highway Patrol Investigator, successfully concluded a months-long investigation into a VIN-switching stolen vehicle operation.
On August 28, 2025, the Task Force, in collaboration with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Bureau and Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET), served a search warrant at two residences in Vallejo, uncovering a significant cache of stolen property.
During the search, authorities seized a GMC Denali pickup, a Chevrolet Corvette, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Track Hawk, and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, all identified as stolen. In addition to the vehicles, investigators recovered a stolen assault weapon, illegal drugs, and cash from the residence. In total, investigators recovered five stolen vehicles worth more than $270,000, illegal drugs with a street value of more than $22,500, $1,000 in cash seized, and a stolen fully automatic assault rifle.
On 09/25/25, an arrest warrant was issued, and suspect Robert Wilkes, a 48-year-old Vallejo resident, was located and taken into custody with the assistance of the Resident Deputy Bureau. Wilkes was booked into the Solano County Jail with bail set at $200,000.
The operation targeted a sophisticated scheme involving the alteration of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to conceal the stolen status of the vehicles. The Solano County Auto Theft Task Force’s diligent efforts over several months led to this successful enforcement action, disrupting a criminal enterprise and recovering valuable property.
The Solano County Sheriff’s Office and our partners in the Auto Theft Task Force remain committed to combating auto theft and related crimes in our community. This operation demonstrates our dedication to protecting residents and holding criminals accountable.
The investigation is ongoing. The Solano County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about auto theft or suspicious activity to contact the Auto Theft Task Force at 707-784-7050.”
