A former Avis employee exploited insider access to steal 47 rental cars worth over $1 million from Syracuse airport, creating an illegal rental empire that exposes alarming security gaps in corporate America.
Story Snapshot
- Milton Thompson III allegedly stole 47 Avis vehicles valued at $1+ million using employee access
- Former employee operated fraudulent rental scheme across Onondaga County for three months
- Police recovered 42 vehicles and arrested accomplices, but main suspect remains at large
- Case highlights dangerous insider threats facing American businesses and weak corporate oversight
Massive Theft Operation Exploits Corporate Trust
Milton W. Thompson III, a 31-year-old former Avis Budget employee, systematically exploited his insider knowledge to steal 47 rental vehicles from Syracuse Hancock International Airport between June and August 2025. The scheme demonstrates how corporate America’s reliance on employee trust creates devastating vulnerabilities. Thompson leveraged his operational access and procedural knowledge to remove vehicles undetected, transforming legitimate business operations into a personal criminal enterprise worth over $1 million.
Criminal Network Spans Multiple Counties
Thompson didn’t operate alone—he built a criminal network that fraudulently rented stolen vehicles to unsuspecting customers across Onondaga County. This coordinated scheme involved multiple accomplices who have since been arrested and charged with unlawful use of motor vehicles. The operation’s scope reveals how insider threats can metastasize into organized criminal enterprises, putting innocent Americans at risk of unknowingly participating in illegal activities while undermining legitimate business operations.
Law Enforcement Response and Recovery Efforts
Syracuse Regional Airport Authority Police launched their investigation on August 17, 2025, after Avis Budget reported the thefts. Authorities have successfully recovered 42 of the 47 stolen vehicles and apprehended several accomplices. However, Thompson remains at large despite felony charges of grand larceny and scheme to defraud. Police publicly identified Thompson on October 23-24, 2025, seeking community assistance to locate him and complete this investigation.
Corporate Security Failures Demand Accountability
This case exposes fundamental weaknesses in corporate security protocols that should concern every American business owner and consumer. Avis Budget’s reliance on employee trust without adequate oversight enabled months of systematic theft during peak summer travel season. The incident underscores how lax corporate governance and insufficient background monitoring create opportunities for bad actors to exploit legitimate businesses, ultimately harming customers, shareholders, and the broader economy through increased costs and reduced trust.
The Thompson case serves as a wake-up call for American businesses to strengthen internal controls and protect themselves from insider threats. Without proper safeguards, even trusted employees can become criminal masterminds, putting companies, customers, and communities at serious risk while undermining the foundations of honest commerce.
Sources:
Former Avis employee at Syracuse airport accused of stealing 47 cars
Suspect allegedly stole 47 rentals vehicles from Syracuse airport
Employee accused of stealing 47 vehicles from Avis Budget car rental site at New York airport
