BUFFALO, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announces the successful completion of the first Operation Key Fob detail, a collective effort by Erie County’s law enforcement agencies to recover stolen vehicles and effectuate arrests.
On the evening of July 1, 2026, law enforcement recovered four stolen vehicles and removed an additional four from the stolen vehicle database. Two subjects were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Deputies and dispatchers from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Buffalo Police Department, Amherst Police Department, Town of Hamburg Police Department, and Cheektowaga Police Department participated in the effort.
A total of 734 vehicles have been reported stolen across Erie County this year. Operation Key Fob utilizes air and ground units in conjunction with intelligence resources to locate these vehicles so that they can be returned to their owners. Of the stolen vehicles across the county that were still outstanding, 25% were recovered by law enforcement on Wednesday.
“A vehicle is the most important asset in many peoples’ lives,” said Sheriff Garcia. “We use it to get to work, take our children to school, and pick up groceries from the store. Without it, many people feel lost. That’s why when a vehicle is stolen, it can have devastating effects on the victim. It’s more than a simple inconvenience. Last night’s deployment is only the start. Working with our law enforcement partners, we will be out in the community all summer long trying to make these victims whole.
“In the meantime, residents of Erie County should remember that they have the power to prevent car theft. Remove valuable items from your vehicle, lock it up, and bring your keys inside the house. Every time.”