Latest news with #JuanMadiedo
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia police are warning of surge in stolen cars being sold on Facebook Marketplace — what to watch out for
Gwinnett County Police in Georgia are warning car buyers to be cautious when shopping online, especially on Facebook Marketplace. Authorities have uncovered a scheme in which thieves are selling stolen vehicles — specifically Honda CR-Vs — with altered Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) to unsuspecting buyers. The cars are primarily stolen from New York, given fake VINs and resold in the Atlanta area. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Public information officer Juan Madiedo of the Gwinnett County Police said the vehicles are being sold for between $29,000 and $30,000. 'They are pretty pricey,' he told Atlanta News First. 'They are making out with a lot of victims' money.' The investigation began when a local buyer reported VIN inconsistencies after taking their CR-V to a mechanic. That tip led police to uncover multiple victims and triggered a Facebook Marketplace sting, where investigators posed as buyers. The seller tried to flee but was caught. A second suspect, Karen Mendez, remains at large. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact 911. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs VIN fraud — or 'VIN cloning' — involves copying a legitimate VIN from a similar car and placing it on a stolen one. The scammer makes the vehicle appear clean and legal during resale. The fraud has reached beyond individual buyers. Atlanta Used Cars unknowingly purchased a stolen vehicle through a Carvana auction. They only learned the truth after a customer reported it stolen. Authorities later traced the vehicle back to Hertz Rental Car Company. 'Saving up money for a down payment or the whole car, purchasing it and being accused of stealing it definitely from law enforcement is definitely not a good experience,' said Shameel Shad, the dealership's general manager. Carvana reimbursed the dealership after confirming the fraud. Shad said the experience forced his team to tighten their inspection process. They now triple-check VINs on the windshield, driver-side door and vehicle computer. Gwinnett County Police and consumer advocates recommend several steps to avoid becoming a victim of VIN fraud: Meet in a public place: Complete private car sales at a police station or designated 'safe exchange' zone. Cross-check the VIN: Make sure the number matches on the windshield, driver-side door, and title documents. Any mismatch is a red flag. Use an OBD2 scanner: These tools reveal the VIN stored in the car's electronic system, which scammers can't easily alter. Run a vehicle history report: Use services like Carfax, AutoCheck or the free VINCheck tool from the National Insurance Crime Bureau to check for theft or salvage records. Trust your instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true or the seller avoids basic questions, walk away. 'There is an endless amount of ways that people can commit fraud in this business, VIN swapping is the simplest and easiest to catch,' Shad said. 'But there are a lot of other crafty ways.' With online car sales on the rise, Gwinnett County Police say vigilance is key. Taking extra steps now could save buyers thousands or prevent legal trouble later. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Facebook Marketplace car theft ring ends in dozens of charges for 2 women, Gwinnett police say
Gwinnett County police have arrested two women in connection to a vehicle theft operation that transported stolen Honda CR-Vs from New York City to sell them through Facebook Marketplace in Georgia, police said. The investigation began in December 2024 when a Gwinnett County resident took his recently purchased Honda CR-V for routine service. 'The technician happened to notice something was off with the VIN number of the vehicle and alerted the customer,' said Cpl. Juan Madiedo with Gwinnett County police. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police set up an undercover purchase with the alleged seller, leading to the arrest of Mayreny Ciprian, who now faces 40 criminal charges. She was found inside another stolen CR-V with an altered VIN in December, police said. 'Little did she know she was actually meeting with detectives that day, but she was taken into custody without any incident,' Madiedo said. Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson learned the investigation expanded Monday with the arrest of 30-year-old Karen Mendez, who faces 19 felony charges for allegedly selling stolen vehicles with forged titles. TRENDING STORIES: EF1 tornado confirmed in Spalding, Butts counties from late night storms Georgia Tech student 'targeted' in deadly shooting at off-campus apartment Rapper Rod Wave arrested after shots fired at his metro Atlanta home Victims often lose both their money and their vehicle when police identify stolen cars. Fredy Juarez lost $10,000 in a similar scheme last year. 'Not everybody is to be trusted,' Juarez warned at the time. 'If you don't put a stop to this, these people will mess up somebody else.' Police believe additional suspects and victims are still out there. They urge anyone who purchased a Honda CR-V through Facebook Marketplace to have their vehicle inspected. 'If there's anything off on the VIN number, if you take a good look at it, please call us,' Madiedo said. Police recommend using designated e-commerce zones at police stations for online purchases, where officers can help verify vehicle information. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
American Military News
15-05-2025
- American Military News
Woman shoots Tesla dealership with BB gun in Georgia, police say
A woman has been arrested after police said she damaged a Tesla dealership with an automatic BB gun in Gwinnett County, one of several acts of violence targeting the electric vehicle company across the United States in recent months. Alexa Beckstead, 23, was charged with felony second-degree criminal damage to property after police said she fired several shots into the dealership on Satellite Boulevard near Duluth early on April 28, blowing out the windows. According to her warrant, the two custom glass windows were valued at about $20,000. The warrant stated she shot the compressed gas gun 'indiscriminately into the building from a moving vehicle.' 'Investigators did not identify a specific motive,' police spokesperson Juan Madiedo told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Tesla cars and dealerships have been targets of vandalism across the country following company owner Elon Musk's work with the Department of Government Efficiency. The attacks have occurred in places like Massachusetts, South Carolina, Oregon, Washington and Colorado, where Molotov cocktails were thrown at vehicles and the words 'Nazi cars' were spray-painted on a dealership, according to The Associated Press. Protests have also been held outside the buildings. In March, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the attacks were 'nothing short of domestic terrorism.' 'The Department of Justice has already charged several perpetrators with that in mind, including in cases that involve charges with five-year mandatory minimum sentences. We will continue investigations that impose severe consequences on those involved in these attacks, including those operating behind the scenes to coordinate and fund these crimes,' Bondi said at the time. Madiedo said the damage to the Gwinnett dealership appeared to be an isolated incident 'as investigators are not aware of any previous cases involving a Tesla dealership being targeted.' Gwinnett officers did arrest a man April 11 for keying a Tesla vehicle in a Costco parking lot on Venture Drive, according to police. The victim was shopping at the time. Police said Beckstead was identified as a suspect through surveillance footage across the county from the dealership, vehicles and Flock cameras, which are installed around metro Atlanta and can track cars via license plate numbers. She was booked May 1 and posted a $11,200 bond Tuesday, according to online records. Investigations into the incidents are ongoing. ___ © 2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Homeowner taps window, thieves fire bullets into his Gwinnett home
A petty crime turned violent near Duluth when suspects fired bullets into a home after a homeowner tried to scare them off during an attempted car break-in, police said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators said the homeowner spotted suspects breaking into vehicles early Saturday morning. When he tapped on his window, they ran - but not before firing multiple gunshots into his house. No one was injured, but police said bullets tore through walls just feet from where children were sleeping on Sierra Court near Satellite Boulevard. Several cars along the street were also broken into. 'They're firing at innocent victims,' Cpl. Juan Madiedo said. 'Call 911. Do not try and stop them.' Maria Ramirez, who lives nearby, said she was shaken by the violence. 'Police blocked off the exit, which was a bit startling,' she said. 'Felt a bit unsafe.' TRENDING STORIES: Pregnant mom accused in 1-year-old son's death transported to GA, denies killing him Woman arrested in connection to death of KC reporter who was covering Super Bowl Flu season in the US is the most intense it's been in at least 15 years Investigators said no arrests have been made, but investigators are processing evidence from two recovered vehicles. 'This group of individuals is very organized and very violent,' Madiedo said. 'We're pursuing every lead aggressively.' Ramirez said she is relieved no one was hurt but is left wondering why it happened. 'I mean, what the heck? Why did they do that?' she said. 'It's messed up.' [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
