Investigators from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have apprehended two individuals in connection with the possession of stolen vehicles and forgery of temporary DMV placards. The suspects allegedly intended to sell the stolen vehicles using seemingly legitimate documentation.
Roberto Caballero-Armas, 27, was arrested at his Henderson residence on January 30, 2023. He faces six felony charges, including multiple counts related to possessing a stolen vehicle and altering vehicle identification numbers. The investigation commenced after Caballero-Armas reportedly attempted to title a stolen Jeep Trackhawk by disguising its vehicle identification number with a false one. According to investigators, Caballero-Armas claimed he purchased the vehicle via social media and was unaware it had been stolen. Authorities seized the vehicle along with forged documents and discovered that Caballero-Armas possessed two additional stolen Jeep Trackhawks. One was recovered at an unlicensed garage called Limitless Performance in Las Vegas; the other remains missing.
The second suspect, Dominic Gutierrez, 43, was arrested on January 31 at an auto dealership where he worked. Gutierrez is accused of exploiting his employer’s access to DMV systems to issue false placards for himself and others, including Caballero-Armas. These placards were used to obscure the title and registration status of several vehicles, some of which were stolen.
Gutierrez has been charged with numerous crimes, including five felony counts of forgery. Both men were detained at the Clark County Detention Center following their arrests.
“It’s likely these stolen vehicles were being prepped for sale to an unsuspecting buyer,” stated DMV Compliance Enforcement Division Chief J.D. Decker. “These scams are becoming more and more sophisticated, this time using an inside man to issue Nevada temporary registration placards.” Decker advised potential buyers to be cautious when paying cash or purchasing through social media platforms and urged thorough inspections of vehicles for fake or altered VINs.
The DMV’s investigation involved collaboration with Henderson Police and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Individuals who suspect they may have fallen victim to fraudulent vehicle sales are encouraged to contact the DMV’s Compliance Enforcement Division at 702-486-8626 or visit dmv.nv.gov/ced.htm
