BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Two suspects were arrested and one remains on the run after an unauthorized Cadillac purchase led to the discovery of a fraud and identity theft operation.
On Nov. 28 a man reported that he had received a letter from a dealership congratulating him on the purchase of a 2022 Cadillac XT6 that he did not authorize.
Investigators ran a VIN check on the vehicle which returned a Texas license plate registered to Jeremy Saunders, who deputies said has a prior arrest history involving possession of identifying information.
The dealership told the victim that all documents related to the vehicle purchase would only be released to law enforcement.
On Dec. 1, BCSO responded to the dealership after a man was reported inside the business attempting to purchase another vehicle using a fake ID which contained a misspelling of the word “EXPIRATION.”
While deputies were responding, a San Antonio police officer advised that the same 2022 Cadillac had arrived on the lot, driven by the male attempting to make the fraudulent purchase.
Deputies detained the driver, who identified himself as 42-year-old Lloyd Marshal Garza. He told investigators that his roommate, Saunders, had purchased the Cadillac and made him the fake ID.
A second man was detained inside the dealership attempting to purchase a 2025 vehicle valued at $55,045. At first, the man refused to identify himself but later gave his name as Jose Roel Avila, 23.
Law enforcement searched the Cadillac, which contained two sets of replica mailbox keys, a $2,525 insurance check stub in another victim’s name, fraudulent IDs, and a fraudulent insurance card.
The next day, Saunders was identified as the suspect who used fraudulent Texas identification and signed the victim’s name to purchase the 2022 Cadillac.
A follow-up interview with Garza confirmed that Saunders created fake IDs using a printer and cellphone. Garza, who had been living with Saunders for about three months, denied knowing the Cadillac was stolen and also denied ever seeing Saunders with firearms.
A search warrant executed at Saunders’ home led to the recovery of the following:
- a credit-card manufacturing machine
- cutting tools
- five printers
- specialized ID-making paper
- multiple fraudulent Texas IDs containing Saunders’ image and victim information
- stolen credit cards and checks from community mailboxes
- three U.S. Postal Service locking mechanisms used for testing counterfeit mailbox keys
- a master key copy
- a ledger containing victims’ names, birthdates, addresses, Social Security numbers, and credit scores
Two suspects were arrested and one remains on the run, after an unauthorized Cadillac purchase led to the discovery of a fraud and identity theft operation. (Bexar County Sheriff’s Office)
Lloyd Marshal Garza was arrested for Fraudulent Possession of Identifying Information, Forgery of a Government Document, Unlawful Conduct with a Receptacle Key, and Driving While License Invalid.
Jose Roel Avila was arrested for False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit, Fraudulent Possession of Identifying Information, and Forgery of a Government Document. Both men were booked into the Bexar County Jail.
Deputies are seeking the public’s help in locating Jeremy Saunders, who is wanted for False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit ≥$30,000 {
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000 or email BCSOTIPS@bexar.org. Tips can be made anonymously.