2 arrested in Phoenix for stealing luxury vehicles

PHOENIX (AP) - Authorities have arrested two men in connection with the recent theft of three Mercedes Benz vehicles from a Peoria car dealership.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said Friday that a auto theft task force served a search warrant on a home and found the vehicles in the backyard.

Two men in the home were arrested.

DPS says 30-year-old Mario Castillo, of Phoenix, and 27-year-old Lebuan Barranco, of Louisville, Kentucky, have been booked into Maricopa County Jail.

Both are being charged with three counts of theft of means of transportation, conducting a chop shop and altering a vehicle identification number.

Investigators say the stolen Mercedes Benz cars are worth $280,000.