WICHITA – A 30-year-old Wichita man has pleaded guilty to helping to steal $288,000 worth of automobiles.

Mario Cabral, Jr., pleaded guilty to one count of altering a vehicle identification number. In his plea, he admitted that on July 5, 2005, a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup was stolen from the Davis-Moore dealership in Wichita. After the truck was stolen, the vehicle identification numbers (VIN) were removed and replaced with VIN numbers from a salvaged vehicle of the same make and model. The purpose was to conceal the fact the truck was stolen.

The parties have agreed that Cabral was associated with the theft of $288,000 worth of stolen cars.

Sentencing is set for June 9.

Co-defendants in the case include, Kappelle Simpson-el, who was sentenced to 72-months in federal prison, Robert McHenry, Sr., who was sentenced to 24-months, Donald Tisdale, who was sentenced to six months, James H. Gonzalez, who was sentenced to 15-months and James Benton, who was sentenced to a year on probation.