Houston, TX — The Houston Police Department (HPD) Auto Theft Division has made two arrests in connection with a stolen truck that was being sold to a local dealership. The suspects attempted to pass off the stolen vehicle as legitimate by using a re-vinned identification number (VIN) and providing a duplicate title.
According to HPD, the VIN number on the truck matched the title that the suspects presented. However, upon further investigation, it was revealed that the vehicle had been stolen, altered, and re-vinned in an attempt to disguise its origin. Police confirmed that the duplicate title was fabricated to make the transaction appear valid.
HPD officials warned that this type of crime is more common than many people realize, with “dozens of these vehicles being sold daily, not only to unsuspecting individuals on platforms like Facebook but also to dealers looking to purchase vehicles from the public.” This latest arrest serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating auto theft and fraudulent vehicle transactions.
The two suspects are now facing charges related to auto theft and fraud. HPD encourages anyone looking to buy or sell vehicles to verify all paperwork and be cautious of suspicious offers, especially from online sources.
