MCTX Sheriff Arrests Suspect for VIN Swapping in Conroe

CONROE, TX -- On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF) received information that the Montgomery County Tax Office identified a suspicious title transaction at their office in Conroe, TX.

ATTF Specialists responded and immediately began an investigation into the title transaction. ATTF Specialists and Investigators with the Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division determined that the VIN of the vehicle in question had been intentionally switched with another vehicle at a business located at 14953 FM 1485, Conroe, TX.

Specialists arrived at the address and observed the location as a salvage car sales business, with approximately one hundred vehicles being disassembled. Upon further investigation, the owner of the business, identified as 31-year-old Oscar Benitez from Rosharon, TX, admitted to buying both total loss vehicles and salvage vehicles to change the VINs in order to have them titled and resold. Benitez was arrested on two counts of placing serial numbers with the intent to change the identity, a third-degree felony, and was transported to the Montgomery County Jail.