TAMPA, Fla. – A multi-state operation involving the theft and sale of high-end vehicles has led to the indictment of three men, including a Florida resident. Michel Serrano, 34, of Lehigh Acres, Florida, along with Julio Sanchez, 35, of Redwood City, California, and Angel Mares, 56, of San Jose, California, are accused of participating in a sophisticated scheme to steal and sell stolen cars.
According to the indictment, the men and their co-conspirators targeted luxury vehicles across Florida between June 2020 and May 2021.
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They allegedly stole cars from dealerships, homes, and businesses, then altered the vehicles’ VINs to conceal their origins. The stolen vehicles were then transported to California on semi-trucks and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
The indictment further claims that the group provided buyers with fake vehicle registrations and titles for an extra fee, receiving payment in cash and checks.
If convicted, Serrano faces up to 10 years in federal prison, while Sanchez and Mares could each face up to 5 years. The government is also seeking the forfeiture of any assets linked to the illegal operation.
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