Stolen Luxury Car Case Unfolds in Alicante
An investigation in Alicante led to the arrest of a 43-year-old man and his neighbor, who were suspected of selling a luxury car stolen in Germany. The buyer reportedly paid 14,500 euros. Authorities stated that the vehicle’s documents and chassis number had been manipulated to facilitate the sale.
The probe began after information from authorities and intelligence networks indicated irregularities in the car’s paperwork. The Alicante Local Police observed a vehicle showing signs of tampering with both its documents and Vehicle Identification Number, commonly known as the VIN.
The 2nd Organized Crime Group, part of the Alicante Judicial Police Brigade and focused on illegal vehicle trafficking, opened a case against the vehicle’s owner and the car, which bore Polish license plates.
Stolen in 2022
Specialists conducted a thorough search to recover the vehicle’s original VIN. The search uncovered a VIN located in parts of the car that manufacturers sometimes use to deter tampering. Once the authentic number was identified, it was cross-checked against national police databases. The number matched a vehicle registered in Germany and reported stolen there in May 2022.
Following statements from the current owner, officers traced an intermediary who claimed to have purchased the car for 14,500 euros from an individual living in Guardamar del Segura. The owner subsequently produced the sales contract, detailing the car dealer, and was charged with vehicle theft, document falsification, and fraud. He was arrested in Alicante as part of the ongoing investigation.
The seller was released after giving a statement and awaiting further judicial action. The case highlights the ongoing challenges of trafficking stolen vehicles and the importance of meticulous verification in vehicle documentation and VIN records. As the inquiry continues, authorities are pursuing all leads to identify other individuals potentially involved and to recover the vehicle for its rightful owner.
Experts note that manufacturers place specific markers or hidden identifiers in multiple concealed sections of modern cars. These measures help authorities verify a vehicle’s authenticity and track its history when documents come into question. The case serves as a reminder for buyers to conduct careful due diligence when acquiring luxury vehicles, especially when prices appear unusually favorable and chassis numbers do not align with official records.
Attribution: National Police statements and Alicante Local Police updates related to the case. The investigation remains active, with authorities coordinating with international partners to resolve the theft and fraud involved in this transaction.