A Houston woman is searching for answers after her recently purchased car was taken by police for an investigation into its stolen status.
Emerita Diaz financed a 2022 white Dodge Charger on October 29, 2024, at a dealership in Humble, unaware of any issues with the vehicle. She and her boyfriend, Ansael Santana, had previously bought cars from the same dealership without any problems.
However, last Sunday, Santana was pulled over by Splendora Police while driving the Charger.
“I saw both of the cops with their guns out, and they were giving me orders to put my hands up,” said Santana. “I was confused because I had nothing to hide. Then they told me the car was stolen.”
According to the Splendora Police Department, the vehicle was reported stolen in Missouri. Authorities confirmed the stolen status after verifying the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The case is now being handled by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Taskforce.
Diaz and Santana say they have no connection to Missouri and would not have purchased the car had they known about its history. A Carfax report shows the car was previously registered in Illinois before being taken to auction last August. It was then listed for sale at the dealership in September.
Despite losing possession of the vehicle, Diaz is still making payments on it.
When contacted, a representative from the dealership denied any wrongdoing, stating, “They don’t have a stolen car. They don’t own the car. They didn’t finance or purchase anything.” However, financial records list Diaz as a co-buyer of the vehicle.
An inquiry into the car’s VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau did not show it as stolen. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is now looking into the matter.
Diaz is left frustrated and uncertain about her next steps, hoping for a resolution that allows her to recover her investment or get justice for the unexpected ordeal.
