AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Hays County Sheriff's Office issued a press release Thursday to announce that they had recovered four stolen trucks that had their vehicle identification numbers (VIN) cloned.
"VIN-cloned vehicles appear to be legitimate due to the VIN returning to a vehicle that is not reported as stolen," wrote HCSO Deputy Bryant Cuadros in the release. "The GMC Denalis were reported stolen through the Dallas Police Department, the Houston Police Department and a law enforcement agency in Connecticut."
Those trucks were sold on Facebook Marketplace for "significantly below market value." In total, the four trucks were worth $220,000, according to HCSO.
The four recovered GMC Denali trucks. (Courtesy HCSO)Cuadros said in the release that HCSO will investigate the thefts further, and asked for anyone with information to contact the agency at 512-393-7800. The public can also submit tips anonymously through Hays County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-8477.
Avoiding 'hot' wheels
Private seller vehicle purchases carry risks, and HCSO recommends that buyers should be cautious of seemingly good deals on social media websites. It also warned about cash offers for below market value and vehicles with out of state titles.
The HCSO Auto Theft Unit offers free appointments to inspect a vehicle's VIN, which can be made over the phone at 512-393-7814. Also, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles offers a title check tool.
HCSO also recommends searching online for the VIN to see if it belongs to a dealership, and checking that a car's "infotainment center" has GPS activated at the time of purchase.
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