Three individuals have been arrested in a multi-state stolen vehicle ring that scams people out of their cars. The suspects pose as buyers and then scam the seller.

Ricky Lee Elis, Henry Washington, and Sahmaad Grayson were all arrested.

On the evening of February 24, deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on a Ford Mustang on Highway 61 North near Northgate shopping center. During the traffic stop, deputies learned that the Ford Mustang was listed in NCIC as stolen from Fort Bend County, Texas.

The driver and sole occupant, Ricky Ellis was arrested and charged with Receiving Stolen Property.

On January 7, agents with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group recovered a Blue Ford F-150 on Harlem Lane in the Lagrange area listed in NCIC as stolen from Bossier Parish, Louisiana.

Agents have been continuing the investigation and interviewing witnesses. Sheriff Patten said that they now have enough evidence to charge Henry Washington Jr, with Receiving Stolen Property (the Blue F-150) and Sahmaad Grayson with two counts of Possession of Stolen Property (the Ford Mustang and the Blue Ford F-150.

Henry Washington Jr was arrested today, February 26, at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.

Sahmaad Grayson is believed to be out of state and has been entered into NCIC. Sheriff Patten went on to say that Grayson is currently out on bond for an arrest on February 11, 2024, in New Orleans, LA where he was arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle.

Grayson was also arrested on December 10, 2023, by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Sheriff Patten stated that his agency has been working with multiple agencies in Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana.

The sheriff said he would not be surprised if more people are charged in this ring in the future.