Husband, Wife Help Cocoa Police Takedown Car Theft Ring Suspects

By  //  January 9, 2019

Suspects ID'd 30-year-old Brandon Gonzalez, 20-year-old Delia Sanchez

The car theft suspects have been identified as 30-year-old Brandon Gonzalez (left) and 20-year-old Delia Sanchez (right) from Texas.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA – A husband and wife who fell victim car theft scam in Cocoa helped police takedown suspects that targeted car dealerships around Florida.

The car theft suspects have been identified as 30-year-old Brandon Gonzalez and 20-year-old Delia Sanchez from Texas.

Last October, the husband filed a report with the Cocoa Police Department stating he had been scammed out of $13,800 when he purchased a vehicle he later learned was stolen.

The victim said he and his wife responded to an ad for a Chevy Silverado that was on sale on Craigslist, which was later found to be a stolen truck from a local dealership.

Police say the suspect sold the vehicle to the victim using a fake tag, title, registration and bill of sale. The victim realized he had been scammed when he went to register the vehicle.

After realizing he had purchased a stolen a vehicle, the man returned the car to the dealership that was the registered owner and reported the incident.

In November, the victim’s wife encountered a similar ad for a GMC Sierra posted for sale on Craigslist in Delray Beach.

After contacting the seller, she noticed the voice was the same person who sold her husband the stolen vehicle.

She immediately contacted the Delray Beach Police Department to report her concerns and worked with officers to set up a purchase. As a result, it worked and police were able to arrest two suspects for grand theft auto, organized scheme to defraud and dealing in stolen property.

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Investigators believe the suspects were hired by an organized group of thieves to steal vehicles from car dealerships around the State of Florida.

“We encourage people to research the vehicles they are purchasing, especially from private sellers,” said Detective Ron McCarron.

“If there is any question that it may not be a legitimate deal, please contact your local law enforcement agency to make sure the vehicle has legitimate paperwork.”

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Central Florida CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS (8433).

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