Car thief ringleader sentenced to 25 years in prison

Montgomery County Judge Sharon Burrell just sentenced Markus Kemp, 23, of D.C. to 25 years in prison.

"I don't think we've ever had a case that involved car thefts, only car thefts, where there was not violence, that got this kind of sentence, 25 years. It was richly deserved," said Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy.

Kemp pleaded guilty to five counts of auto theft, conspiracy, theft over $25,000, and burglary. Prosecutors said he recruited friends and pilfered high-end cars in the suburbs and then rented them out in D.C. for prices up to $1,000 a day.

Kemp was a particularly bold and brazen thief, recruiting buddies from his D.C. neighborhood to case the wealthy, quiet streets of Chevy Chase and Bethesda in the midst of the pandemic lockdown and often in broad daylight, looking for only the most expensive cars, prosecutors said.

He struck at least 13 times between January and July 2020 and made off with more than $450,000 worth of Audis, Teslas and other vehicles.

At one point, he posted on Instagram with a Model X with a base price of $120,990.

"Until it happens to you, you can't believe it..... You're violated, you're violated. Your sense of peace is gone," said Paulo Costa, a neighbor of one of the victims.

"This is not the first time the defendant was involved in orchestrating motor vehicle thefts. In 2019, as an adult, the defendant was charged for four separate incidents involving theft, motor vehicle theft, and rogue and vagabond in Chevy Chase, MD. As a result, the defendant was placed on probation in January 2020 (C.R. #135619C) after being convicted of motor vehicle theft as an adult. Only a few weeks after being placed on probation, the defendant violated his probation by engaging in these additional motor vehicle thefts and burglaries." according to a sentencing memo from the State's Attorney's Office.

Prosecutor McCarthy said Kemp was a sort of criminal entrepreneur.

"He would take these high-end cars, take them into D.C., and then he started his own rental business... Each car, $200 to $500 a day. He bragged about the fact that he got $1,000 one day for a single car rental," he said.

McCarthy praised the dedicated Montgomery County Police auto theft squad, which broke the case, but has since been disbanded.

One guy who had his Tesla stolen tracked it into D.C. with his phone. When he got to that location and saw no one around, he jumped in his car, started it with his phone, and drove it home, McCarthy said.

[Shibu]

It must be nice to live in a state, where they are still punishing crime.

[DJMAERZ]

I had my car stolen along with my wallet. Thieves used my personal and business cards, stole gas, ran toll booths and red lights. I received letters and citations from 3 different states over the next 6 months despite having reported the car stolen and having provided them with the case number. All of these things were ON CAMERA. Cops never even bothered to look at any of the footage and accused me of being involved. Demanded phone records which I gladly provided in hopes of clearing things up with my insurance company. That was 2 years ago on August 16th and I finally got my insurance $$ yesterday.

Let them all rot in jail.

[yaboybert_]

Leaving the keys in the car even in front of your house is crazy. I gotta check 3-4 times to make sure my car is locked 😂

[jamesg]

Car thieves ripped the ignition coils out of my ranger and I ended up having to sell it for peanuts. I was already in a bad financial situation, but this basically left me destitute. Had I not had the option of moving back in with my parents I'd likely be homeless. I have zero sympathy for car thieves and would never vote to convict someone who defended their car with lethal force, were I on their Jury.

[jasonkowens]

So this dude gets 25 and the girl who pushed and killed the old lady because she was angry with someone else got 8 years? Yeah that's justice.

[danielyeroshalmi]

only 25? why would you ever want this guy back on the streets?

[BasketballStud]

Car thefts and carjacking have become way too common and blatant. Long sentences and harsh punishments are warranted.

[gregfalco]

If they had robbed poor people, they woudn't have been given more than 5 years.🤣🤣

[Chachoes]

Judges should start punishing criminals more harshly

[rickyricardo]

He got a little too comfortable and predicted a quick release when caught 😂 25 years is hilarious and I love it

[britneyy]

I have no remorse for car thieves, people work so hard for what they have just for something who did nothing to deserve it just take it away.

[seamac]

He should have gotten into politics where theft and criminality is dismissed.

[thebasketballhistorian]

Imagine if he put this same effort in a legit business.

Instead, he'll get 25 years. 👏

[sportingdirector]

Criminals need to be held accountable.

[vincevincent]

I’ve been violated when my home and garage got broken into years ago . But the guy was greedy and kept coming back to our neighbourhood. We went in the roofs and waited for him nigjt after night until he arrived . We roughed him up handed him over to the police . Popo was grateful for our service lol.

[shevetlevi]

In 1991 I had my ten year old rusting Honda Civic sh*t heap stolen in an area of Queens, NYC. Apparently some POS didn't think I deserved what I'd worked hard for. The cop told me that probably within an hour it was dismantled into 1000 parts in a chop shop. I did some research and found that in NYC the year before 12, 000 cars had been stolen; of that there were under 400 arrests, of that 130 were not dismissed and went to trial, and of that 63 actually went to jail.
For most of us who work in law abiding jobs there's more legal risk than being a car thief.
I wish car thieves would steal the cars of judges and DAs. Then I might have some respect for them.

[KijjiSale]

this is the only way to control crime, for those who thinks it is too harsh than do not commit crime and go get a job and paid tax and be a good citizen

[Doomsquad]

I cant even imagine the state of mind of the guy after he found it and whilst driving back home

[chrisk]

Bet he didn't think he get 25 years.

[comments.cuestionsandconcerns]

so glad he got that much time. he earned it.