A car dealer employee has been arrested for allegedly committing numerous thefts against his Phoenix-based car dealership and its customers.
Eduardo Rodriguez was employed at a few used car dealerships in Phoenix. He sold dealership cars to customers and after collecting cash payments, the allegations include that Rodriguez kept payments instead of turning them into his employer. Additionally, Rodriguez would sell the same car to more than one customer and pocket the cash payments. He would also sell customers bogus warranty policies.
All three dealerships eventually discovered the numerous thefts he had committed and contacted Arizona Department of Transportation’s (ADOT) Office of Inspector General. ADOT detectives learned Rodriguez purchased a vehicle from one of the dealers he worked for and financed it. A few days after buying the vehicle with the provided financing, Rodriguez sold the vehicle privately to an unsuspecting victim. Because Rodriguez defaulted on the loan, his former employer was required to buy it back.
ADOT detectives also discovered the other instances of theft against the dealerships and customers. Rodriguez was arrested and charged with fraud schemes, theft and forgery.