Photo: Stock Image
The Placer County Sheriff’s office issued a warning to the public when selling cars over the internet. The warning was originally issued in February of 2024, and they now have one suspect in custody, with 2 additional suspects still outstanding.
Michael Tanase was arrested in July by the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department in Oklahoma on suspicion of being drunk in public and disturbing the peace. The department learned about Tanase’s warrant upon his arrest and he was subsequently picked up by Placer County Sheriff’s officers and taken into custody.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗺 –
• The victim lists a car for sale on marketplace, craigslist, etc.
• The suspect arranges to meet with the seller and arrives with at least two others to “inspect” the vehicle.
• One of the suspects “inspects” the engine, while the other suspects distract the victim.
• The suspect pours oil in the radiator and on top of the engine manifold.
• During a test drive the vehicle will begin to smoke and the suspects will open the hood to show there is oil on the radiator and tell the victim the engine is “blown”.
• The suspect then gives an extremely low-ball offer to take the vehicle off the sellers’ hands.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 –
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office first received reports of these types of scams at the beginning of this year. While investigating it was determined the same group of suspects was likely linked to cases being investigated by several agencies including the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Stockton Police Department, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and Corona Police Department.
The information gathered, extensive follow up and data sharing from other agencies allowed the Placer County District Attorney’s Office to file three cases of felony vandalism and felony theft by false pretense against Michael Tanase, Constatin Mustata and Florin Tanase.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 –
On July 23, 2024 Michael Tanase is currently in the South Placer Jail.
Constatin Mustata and Florin Tanase remain outstanding on their warrants.
