HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) – A Harris County mechanic is facing serious charges after authorities say he scammed multiple customers by posing as a trusted repairman, then stealing or stripping their vehicles for parts.
Carlos Mireles was arrested in April 2025 and charged with aggregate theft exceeding $40,000, as well as tampering with a government record for allegedly driving with a fake license plate.
Among his alleged victims is Juan Agosto, a Jeep enthusiast who entrusted Mireles with his vehicle after a transmission failure in December 2023. Agosto paid $575 upfront, only to be ghosted by Mireles. When he returned months later, both his Jeep and Mireles’ Chippewa Blvd. shop had vanished.
Agosto eventually tracked down the stolen vehicle in Wharton County, thanks to a tip from a stranger who found his contact info in the glovebox. Authorities used road cameras to help recover the Jeep and arrest the person driving it, who admitted Mireles had sold it.
According to court records, at least four customers reported similar experiences. Mireles is accused of running a fraudulent repair scheme, collecting deposits or vehicles and then either reselling or dismantling them for parts.
“When I threatened to call the cops, he laughed and said, ‘That happens all the time. They can’t do anything to me,’” Agosto said.
“But I wasn’t going to let him get away with it.”
Despite Mireles’ apparent confidence, law enforcement is now pursuing the case aggressively. Authorities encourage any other potential victims to come forward.
