Syracuse, New York – An employee stole 47 cars from an Avis Budget location at an upstate New York airport and rented them out throughout the area, police said Friday.
The rental car company told authorities that vehicles valued at more than $1 million were stolen from its location at Syracuse Hancock International Airport between June and August.
An airport police investigation found that a 31-year-old Avis Budget employee led the theft scheme, which included renting out stolen vehicles at other locations around Onondaga County, authorities said. Police refused to reveal details about how the vehicles were stolen.
Police are searching for an employee who no longer works for Avis Budget and is wanted on charges of grand theft and a fraud scheme. Several other people have been arrested in connection with the case, officials said.
Authorities said 42 of the 47 stolen cars were recovered.
An Avis Budget spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email on Friday.