For NASCAR legend Jack Roush, winning on Sunday is one thing—but dealing with stolen cars on Monday is a whole different problem.
In a stunning twist, the FBI’s two-year manhunt for Roush’s stolen Ford trucks has now led to the cracking of a major car theft operation spanning the Midwest and the South.
And it all started when two high-performance Roush vehicles vanished from his company’s parking lot in 2022.
The Heist: How Roush’s Custom Ford Trucks Disappeared
Back in 2022, two high-end modified Ford trucks—including a 2022 Roush F-150—were stolen straight from Roush Enterprises’ lot in Livonia, Michigan.
💰 What made them special?
- Roush Enterprises is famous for aftermarket performance vehicles, producing custom models like the Roush F-150 Nitemare and the 710-horsepower JackHammer Mustang.
- These weren’t just any stolen vehicles—they were high-performance, rare machines.
The brazen theft was caught on surveillance footage, showing masked thieves arriving in a black SUV, loading the Roush-modified trucks onto a trailer, and disappearing into the night.
For Roush, this wasn’t just about stolen property—it was personal.
The FBI’s Two-Year Chase: Spy Gadgets, VIN Tricks & Milwaukee’s Garage Bust
For over two years, FBI agents followed the trail of Roush’s missing trucks, uncovering a sophisticated vehicle theft ring.
🔍 Key Breakthroughs in the Investigation:
✅ Agents tracked one of Roush’s stolen trucks to a garage in Milwaukee—the first major clue.
✅ The FBI used high-tech spy gadgets and forensic tools to analyze VIN numbers (vehicle identification numbers) etched onto engines, transmissions, and car frames.
✅ The stolen truck was linked to a larger car theft operation, leading agents to Diaunte Shields—the man behind the scheme.
“The vehicles were taken by individuals wearing ski masks who had exited a black SUV,” said FBI Special Agent Shane Hoffmann, confirming that the stolen Roush trucks were key evidence in breaking open the case.
The Bigger Picture: A High-Stakes Car Theft Ring Exposed
Roush’s stolen trucks were just the tip of the iceberg—the FBI’s investigation uncovered an elaborate vehicle theft network operating across multiple states.
🚨 How the Operation Worked:
- Thieves targeted high-performance and luxury vehicles, using black-market tools to bypass security systems.
- Stolen cars were moved across state lines, often stripped for parts or rebranded with fake VIN numbers.
- Vehicles were hidden in garages like the one in Milwaukee, where they were prepped for resale or dismantled for the black market.
Shields, now in FBI custody, faces multiple federal charges, and law enforcement is expected to dismantle even more of the ring in the coming months.
Roush’s Legacy & NASCAR’s Role in Automotive Security
Jack Roush, one of NASCAR’s most influential figures, built an empire around performance engineering and high-performance muscle cars.
His legacy in motorsports and car customization makes it no surprise that his vehicles would be a prime target for thieves. But ironically, it was Roush’s stolen trucks that helped uncover a massive criminal operation.
For Roush, this isn’t just about justice for his stolen trucks—it’s about protecting the integrity of high-performance automotive security.
Because if there’s one thing Roush knows better than anyone—what happens in the garage is just as important as what happens on the track.