Antioch Used Car Dealership Accused of Odometer Tampering

On June 11, investigators from the California Department of Motor Vehicles visited a used car dealership in Antioch where they uncovered multiple vehicles which had false odometer readings.

During their investigation of California Car Sales last week, they found 23 vehicles of 47 on the lot had faulty odometer readings said Area Commander Tom Wilson of the California Department of Motor Vehicles

Wilson further explained that 13 vehicles on the lot at the same time had faulty readings which makes this one of the larger cases of odometer fraud he has worked.

“We identified 14-cars that had odometer readings lower than what was sold months earlier at the auction,” said Wilson.

Wilson explained that once their department did the “controlled buy” from the dealership, it allowed them to go in with a search and are now getting an idea of how bad the odometer rollbacks were. They are also looking for people who may have been victim of the dealership.

The controlled buy was a $4,500 purchase of a vehicle with a 115,000 miles on it which was considered low mileage. After an investigation, the vehicle had 260,000 miles listed from an auction a few months earlier. The investigation began about a month ago.

On June 11, Jorge Guevara, the dealership’s owner, was arrested and is released pending formal charges where he could face up to 5 different forms of violations which include:

• Odometer Tampering
• Theft / Grand Theft
• Attempted Grand Theft
• Theft by False Pretense
• Perjury by filing documents with the State

It will be up to the Contra Costa District Attorney to decide which charges will be filed.

According to a source at the Antioch Police Department, they may also have additional charges to be filed, but would not elaborate further.

California Car Sales is currently open, however, they have been warned and have to address issues provided by the DMV through the investigation. Wilson stated the dealership still has a right to due process for administrative and licensing rights and they cannot just be shut down.

Wilson gave further advice by stating the law states you have the right to bring a used car to an individual mechanic and that if a dealership refuses you that right, do not ignore the red flag and be sure to go elsewhere.

“A lot of the information can be found from your phone on the lot of a dealership,” explained Wilson. “If you have a red flag, go elsewhere. If it seems to be too good to be true, do not ignore that feeling and do some research.”

He also advised consumers that just because a dealership says they changed the engine, it does not mean the vehicle miles ago away or are reduced. It also does not guarantee an engine was replaced.

Wilson is hoping to get the review completed by next week and by early July filed with the District Attorney’s Office. They are also trying to find additional victims and they are encouraged to contact (707) 648-4511.

Editor’s Note:
KTVU broke the story Monday June 16 and we spoke with Tom Wilson of the DMV Tuesday afternoon. The photo was provided by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous and was taken during the investigation on Wednesday June 11.