Renting a car is typical for a vacation or business trip. In doing so, customers don’t have to wait for ride shares or take public transportation when they touch down at their destination, making it oftentimes a preferred mode of transportation. But one New York rental car worker is accused of renting out cars alright— but not for his employer. Now, he’s a wanted man.
Suggested Reading
Police say Milton Thompson III, a now ex-Avis Budget Car Rental employee, turned the Syracuse Hancock International Airport into his own personal rental lot in a wild theft scheme. His alleged side hustle consisted of stealing 47 rental cars between June and August, according to Syracuse.com.
After allegedly using his employee access and “inside knowledge,” the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police Department says the 31-year-old would then rent out the stolen cars to customers around Onondaga County, pocketing the money.
The stolen cars are valued at over one million dollars. Of the 47 missing vehicles, 42 have since been recovered — the remaining five cars are nowhere to be found, along with Thompson, who has been charged with two felonies: second-degree grand larceny and first-degree scheme to defraud. But that’s not all.
Authorities say Thompson wasn’t the only one involved in the alleged theft scheme that took months to even be detected. Several other people were arrested and charged with unlawful use of a vehicle, but their names have not been released by police.
It’s unclear exactly how the alleged theft ring was conducted, but according to reports, rental car employees can move cars and “spoof or bypass” car statuses. Because workers have access to “exploit” inventory, workers can remove units off the ready‑line, have unique access to keys and exit gates.
This isn’t the first instance of a rental car employee allegedly taking advantage of their access. Savannah Harsha Phillips, a 24-year-old security gate attendant at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, was arrested for allegedly helping three men steal a dozen Hertz rental cars in May by lifting the barrier arm for them, per Local10.com.
In August 2022, Cameron Sullivan, an Enterprise Rent-A-Car employee, was arrested for allegedly stealing seven cars— $292,660 in value— from the Memphis International Airport. Local Memphis station ABC 24 reported at the time he allegedly stole a Chevrolet Camaro, Audi Q5, and a Dodge Challenger, amongst others.
Straight From 
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.