Police arrest 5th suspect allegedly involved in scheme to defraud El Paso car dealer
El Paso Police detectives with the Financial Crimes Unit arrested and charged a fifth suspect in connection to a “large-scale theft operation” that crossed state lines.
Robert Lee Reynolds II, 46, is charged with Theft over $300,000 and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity. Reynolds II was booked into the county jail on bonds totaling $300,000.
Earlier this year, police arrested Mark Mitchell, 45; Amy Chavira, 22; Nicole Davidson, 28; and Robert Lee Reynolds III, 25. All four were charged with with Theft over $300,000 and Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, police said.
Mitchell “unlawfully appropriated property from the Fox Acura dealership,” a police news release states. The dealership is located at 7230 Viscount.
Police said Mitchell allegedly secured a 2012 Chevy Camaro ($34,995 value), a 2014 Nissan Armada ($31,995 value), a 2015 Ford F-150 ($28,995 value), a 2016 Acura MDX ($40,995 value), a 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat ($59,000 value), and a 2017 Acura NSX ($207,500 value) “through the use of a fraudulent wire transfer documentation.”
An investigation allegedly revealed Mitchell worked with Chavira, Davidson and Reynolds III to obtain the vehicles.
Steve Fox, President of the Fox Auto Group, told ABC-7 Mitchell showed up at the dealership and told salesmen he had just inherited $5 million.
Mitchell went on to tell salesmen he was going to reward himself by buying the Acura NSX and some of the people he loved with vehicles of their own. Fox said the scheme involved financial advisors promising payment, telling the dealership they had bank drafts to pay for the cars.
“We verified, but we were verifying through his co-conspirators, and also like I said, they had some fraudulent documents he was showing and sharing and had some people representing themselves as investment consultants and or brokers and bank officers so it was a thought out conspiracy,” Fox said.
Fox further stated the alleged theft transpired over a couple of days. “He started off with the Acura NSX, and you know, we’re car dealers. We’re always optimistic and we sort of wanted to believe this story was true,” Fox said.
The dealership recovered the vehicles, Fox said.
Mitchell’s bond was set at $200,000, Chavira’s was set at $300,000, Davidson’s was set at $500,000 and Reynolds’ was set at $300,000. All four were booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. This investigation continues and additional charges are anticipated, police said.
