for the identification of the thief and the return of my money
If you have any information call this number: 602-980-6874
On October 4th 2022 I was robbed of $3,500 by a craigslist scammer thief
Description of the thief:
  • Appears to be an Hispanic male with a short goatee/beard, late thirties or early forties.
  • Height: around 5 feet 8 inches.
  • Distinguishing apparel: The thief wore Dog Tags around his neck with "BUICK BOYS" engraved on them.
    He may now work or has worked at a Buick dealership.
  • Most distinguishing characteristic: a limp in his left leg, possibly the result of an injured left ankle.
  • He may live near the scene of the theft by fraud in the W Grandview Rd - N 75th Ave area of Glendale.
  • He may drive a light colored Chevy or Ford truck.
  • We do not yet have his name but...

    His phone number is: 602-697-3679 -- Linked to Bille Jean Transue

    He blocked us after the transaction.
    Please give me a call if you know of this person.
Where it happened:   Bell Rd and 67th Ave Glendale, AZ
The craigslist ad:
The deceptive swindle and the actual condition of the car:
  • The ad says "88,000 miles"
    The actual milage is 173,000 miles. He set the trip odometer to 88,000 then hid the "Trip" indicator light with a sticker.
  • The ad says "runs and drives like new"
    We drove the car around the Fry's parking lot, never going over 30 mph. We revved the engine while in park with no load on the transmission. It sounded fine. He hid the fact that the transmission does not shift above 30 mph and the car cannot be driven over 40 mph.
  • The ad says "no mechanic issues"
    The car requires an engine replacement and transmission rebuild at a cost of $4,700. This has to be done just to make the car drivable on a major street or highway.
  • The ad says "just passed emissions"
    The valves are bad and need to be replaced and the spark plugs are covered with black soot. This car would never pass emissions.
  • The ad says "clean and clear titile"
    This is were it really gets squirrelly.
    • The seller (the bad ankle guy) told me his name was Jonathan and that he was the son of John and Lori Patoros of Apache Junction and that his parents had been the sole owners of the car.
    • John and Lori Pators[sic] names are listed on the title as the owners.
    • When I later spoke with Lori Patoros she assured me she did not know anyone by that name. Lori told me that she and her husband had recently sold the car to a woman named Stacy Evans. Lori told me they met with three people: a woman notary, Stacy Evans, and a man (the bad ankle guy). There they signed the title over to Stacy Evans. I am sure Lori and John would be willing to identify these people if the police ask them to.
    • The name Stacy Evans does not appear anywhere on the title given to me.
    • When I took the title to the MVD they informed me it was unsigned and not valid.
      I tried calling "Jonathan" but of course my calls were blocked.
    • The notary date on the title I received is dated Sunday October 2nd 2022.
      I purchased the car the following Tuesday on October 4th.
      Cindy told me she unknowingly put her notary stamp on the unsigned title beacuse the transaction was done outside at dusk, she was (purposely) distracted by the person who hired her and in addition she was having trouble with dust in one of her contact lenses. Cindy is not complicit in any way and has been very helpful.
The Title:
Arizona Consumer Fraud Act:
The Arizona Consumer Fraud Act (ACFA) is a package of Arizona state laws that give protections to consumers in almost any kind of transaction related to the sale or advertisement of merchandise. Both the state and a private citizen may bring action under the act, however a private citizen's lawsuit must be brought within one year from the date of the claim.
The ACFA gives consumers in Arizona recourse in the event of fraudulent marketing and sales. Those who willfully violate the ACFA may be required to pay up to $10,000 per violation.
It also gives broad powers to the Attorney General to investigate fraud already committed or about to be. For instance, Consumer Protection Law Developments states that the Attorney General has the power to issue subpeonas, administer oaths or affirmations, and conduct hearings in order to carry out his duties under the ACFA.