Suspect of California used car scam arrested in Oklahoma, now in Placer County jail

(FOX40.COM) — A man connected to statewide car sale scams is now in a Placer County jail after being arrested in Oklahoma, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

A string of used car sales scams across Northern California caused many law enforcement agencies, including the Placer County Sheriff’s Office to issue warnings for the public to remain vigilant when buying used cars.

The identified scam had the scammer targeting sellers marketing their vehicles on known resale websites.

When the scammer arrived at the arranged meeting location they would have two other people with them to “inspect” the vehicle.

While one person distracts the seller the others pour oil in the radiator and on top of the engine to cause it to smoke during the test drive and make it appear like there is an engine failure.

The buyer then asks for an extremely low sell price to get the “problem” car off the seller’s hands.

Sometime in the early part of the year, multiple reports came in from Placer County residents explaining this same scam.

Investigators found that Placer County was one of seven counties between San Diego County and El Dorado County investigating the same scam.

Further investigations by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office led to the identification of three suspects, Michael Tanase, Constatin Mustata and Florin Tanase.

The Placer County District Attorney’s Office filed three cases of felony vandalism and felony theft by false pretense for each of the suspects.

Officers with the Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department arrested Michael Tanase on July 23 for being drunk in public and disturbing the peace. Tanase has also committed a hit-and-run outside an Oklahoma casino.

Michael Tanase has since been transferred from Love County, Oklahoma to the South Placer Jail in Roseville.

Mustata and Florin Tanase are outstanding.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.