Man accused of 'used vehicle oil scam' arrested in Uxbridge: Police
· Toronto Sun
A man wanted in California has been arrested in an alleged scam involving the sale of a used car in Uxbridge.
Durham Regional Police said the victim who listed their vehicle for sale on Facebook Marketplace had arranged to meet with the suspect on April 27.
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“Following a test drive, the suspect poured engine oil onto the engine while a second suspect distracted the victim,” police said. “The suspects then claimed the engine was blown and leaking oil, significantly reducing the value of the vehicle.”
The victim ended up agreeing to sell the vehicle for “substantially less than the original asking price,” police said.
The vehicle was then allegedly listed on Facebook Marketplace at nearly its original price on May 1.
Police said the listing showed the vehicle’s odometer reading was about half of its legitimate mileage.
Mogos Constantin, 38, of Romania, is charged with fraud over $5,000, mischief, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000, altering the odometer of a motor vehicle, and using a plate not authorized for a motor vehicle.
Police said Constantin is also known to go by the alias “Catalin Ionascu,” and was wanted on multiple warrants by San Jose Police Department in California.
He was held pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to contact Det. Const. Kane of the Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371.
To submit information anonymously, contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca .
Man sought in assault near Union Station
Toronto police are appealing to the public for help identifying a suspect accused of assaulting a person in the Bay St. and Front St. West area last Thursday morning.
Police said the man shoved the victim as they were leaving Union Station at around 8:14 a.m.
The victim fell to the ground, sustaining serious, but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
The suspect was last seen walking south on Bay St.
He is described as white, around 5-foot-6, with brown hair, and was wearing a dark-coloured jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com .