Santa Ana Police Department
Advisory: SAPD DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT FOR GRAND THEFT SCAM
Santa Ana Police Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division have arrested Michael Garduno, age 25, of Santa Ana, for Grand Theft. Detectives believe Garduno met victims after posting Craigslist ads offering to sell high end vehicles he didn’t actually own at a steep discount. In fact, the vehicles he offered for sale were owned by various local auto dealers and were for sale on their lots. The suspect convinced the victim he was authorized to sell the vehicles, collected cash from the victims, and then fled.
In one incident, the Audi South Coast dealership in the Santa Ana Auto Mall Drive had a 2013 Audi S5 for sale on their used car lot listed at $38,995. Garduno listed this same vehicle for sale on Craigslist for $9,000. The victim contacted Garduno and began corresponding via text message about the vehicle. Garduno claimed the Audi dealership was selling the vehicle for him on consignment. Continue reading