On 09/14/17, investigators from the Camarillo Police Department, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Ventura County Auto Theft Task Force (VenCATT), culminated an investigation that led to the arrest of the above listed suspects for fraudulently selling vehicles. A search warrant was also served at the couple’s residence, in the 2800 block of Walker Avenue, in the City of Camarillo.
On 07/25/17, Camarillo Police Department detectives received information that S-Gallo and S-Neal were purchasing vehicles on credit and reselling them without disclosing the vehicle had a lien on it.
The couple would purchase a vehicle on credit and advertise it for sale on the internet as having a clear title. While negotiating the sale with would be buyers, the couple would offer to list a lower purchase price on the Bill of Sale in order to reduce the sales tax owed by the buyer.
The suspects would later contact the buyer and tell them there was a lien holder for the car and the vehicle would be subject to re-possession if the victims did not return the car. The suspects would offer to only return the amount of money written on the Bill of Sale; not the much larger amount the victim actually paid.
Some of the victims took the suspects to civil court and won judgments against the suspects. Even though they lost in civil court, the suspects continued their scheme. Camarillo Detectives know of at least two separate incidents where the same car was sold to a victim, re-possessed, and then re-sold to a separate victim within days.
So far, investigators have identified six victims who had been sold vehicles under false pretenses and defrauded out of about $40,000.00. Detectives believe there may be additional victims.
The public is advised to consult with the Department of Motor Vehicles when engaging in private party car sales to insure all transactions are complete and legal. If you believe you have been a victim of this couple, or have information that you believe can assist investigators, please call the Camarillo Police Department’s News Story Hotline, at 805-388-5151.
