Authorities in El Paso have arrested the owner of a local used car dealership and two of his employees on fraud-related charges, and investigators say they are looking for additional victims.
Perry Wolfe, owner of Car Capitol, was taken into custody on suspicion of fraudulent transfer of a motor vehicle, according to El Paso County Tax Assessor-Collector Ruben Gonzalez. Two employees, Regina Ozaeta and Mario Uribe, were arrested on charges of tampering with government records. Court records do not list attorneys for any of the three suspects.
The arrests follow an investigation by the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office Enforcement Division into reported “irregularities in vehicle sales and title transfers.” Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that vehicles were transferred under false or misleading pretenses, according to the news release.
Car Capitol, located at 6354 N. Mesa Street near Sunland Park Drive, has operated in the El Paso area for several years. Authorities have not disclosed how many customers or vehicles may be affected, and no additional details about the alleged fraud scheme have been released.
“The case remains under investigation and additional charges may be pending,” officials said. Gonzalez emphasized that the county takes these offenses seriously and aims to protect residents from fraudulent title transfer practices.
Wolfe was arrested on Oct. 10 and booked into the El Paso County jail on a $7,500 bond, posting bail the same day.
Ozaeta was arrested Nov. 12 on two counts of tampering with government records and released after posting a $2,000 bond.
Uribe was also arrested Nov. 12 on one count of tampering with government records and released the same day after posting a $2,500 bond.
