“California DMV investigators are a valuable asset to law enforcement at the local, state and federal level when investigating auto theft and identity theft crimes. They work daily to protect consumers from financial harm.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
FRESNO – On December 22, 2022, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office announced that it filed 35 counts against Fresno residents Marcos Garza, Jr., 36, Ana Ramirez, 42, Laura Mora, 52, and Olivia Rodriguez, 55, in a sweeping automobile theft, identity theft and real estate fraud conspiracy.
It is alleged that between February 29, 2020, and November 3, 2022, Garza and Ramirez, along with Mora and Rodriguez, used the personal identifying information of three victims to purchase four Range Rovers, one Audi A8, two sport boats, and two boat trailers totaling approximately $459,032.76. It is also alleged that between May 20, 2020, and April 26, 2022, Garza and Ramirez rented several houses using the personal identifying information of one of the victims, resulting in approximate losses to the property owner of $54,102.15.
The Felony Complaint filed in Fresno Superior Court alleged the following charges and enhancements:
- Three counts of CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT IDENTITY THEFT
- Five counts of IDENTITY THEFT
- Seven counts of GRAND THEFT AUTO
- Eleven counts of GRAND THEFT
- Three counts of SECOND-DEGREE COMMERCIAL BURGLARY
- Four counts of RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, MOTOR VEHICLE
- Two counts of RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY
- One enhancement of AGGRAVATED WHITE-COLLAR CRIME – EXCEEDING $500,000
- One enhancement of AGGRAVATED WHITE-COLLAR CRIME – EXCEEDING $100,000
If convicted of all charges and allegations, Garza and Ramirez face a sentence of 24 years, eight months in prison, Mora faces a sentence of eight years in prison, and Rodriguez faces a sentence of four years, four months in county jail.
Garza was arrested by the Help Eliminate Auto Theft (H.E.A.T.) multi-agency task force comprised of detectives and investigators from the California Highway Patrol, Fresno Sheriff’s Office, Clovis Police Department, and the Department of Motor Vehicles on November 17, 2022, on related charges, and booked into the Fresno County Jail.
Ramirez and Mora were arrested by H.E.A.T. during a search warrant of their residence on November 3, 2022.
Rodriguez remains at large.
