Detectives with the Northeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force recovered a stolen 2018 Dodge Challenger in Texarkana, Arkansas, on Monday which had its VIN swapped after being reported stolen from Arlington, Texas, in 2024.
NCIB Special Agents contacted detectives after a vehicle in Tennessee was found to have the same VIN as a vehicle in Texarkana, Texas.
Detectives located the vehicle in Texarkana, Arkansas and with the assistance of Texarkana Arkansas PD, conducted an inspection on it.
“It was found the VIN displayed on the vehicle was fake and the true VIN was reported stolen,” said NE TX ATTF. “The subject in possession of the vehicle purchased it off Facebook Marketplace, not knowing it was stolen.”
The vehicle had previously been stopped by officers without specialized training in detection of VIN Swap vehicles.
“This is a great example of our MVCPA grant funded task force being able to put our specialized training to use to assist other agency’s and get another stolen vehicle back to the rightful owner. This is another reminder to be extra weary of Facebook Marketplace deals. If it seems too good to be true, it likely is.”
