Deputies arrested a man last month and are searching for two more suspects accused of an elaborate car theft scheme across California -- including Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties -- in which authorities said the trio tampered with vehicles being sold, forcing victims to sell their cars for a low price.
Michael Tanase, 20, and two others were linked to the scam that the Placer County Sheriff's Office said began earlier this year. The man was arrested after an Oklahoma police department arrested him at a casino on suspicion of being drunk and disturbing the peace, and officers learned of a warrant issued by the Placer County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies are still searching for suspects, ages 24 and 22. Tanase pleaded not guilty at his arraignment to two felony counts, of defrauding a victim and vandalism for an offense that allegedly happened in January, according to court records.
Tanase is being held without bail in South Placer Jail after his Aug. 20 arrest, according to online jail log.
The scam began after a victim listed their cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, according to a social media post by the Placer County Sheriff's Office.
The suspects arrived to inspect the vehicle and meet with the seller. One potential buyer examined the engine while the other suspects distracted the victim, deputies said.
A person poured oil in the radiator and on top of the engine manifold, deputies said.
During a test drive, the vehicle would began to smoke, prompting everyone to leave the car to see what happened.
The suspects propped up the engine to reveal the oil and say the engine was blown. The suspects then gave a low offer for the vehicle, deputies said.
This scam appeared across the capital region, and in the jurisdictions of the Stockton Police Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Office, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office and the Corona Police Department, deputies said.
Tanase is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a status conference hearing.
"The reported crimes in Placer County have slowed down, but we encourage everyone to be vigilant," the Sheriff's Office wrote online. "If you are in the process of selling a vehicle and something seems suspicious don't feel pressured to sell."