Special to the American Press

On Dec. 18, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the CPSO Sulphur Law Enforcement Center in reference to a theft.

 During the initial investigation, CPSO Vehicle Crimes Investigative Unit detectives inspected a truck, after the victim reported an issue while renewing his registration.  The victim advised detectives he was told his truck was already registered to another individual in Livingston Parish.  Detectives discovered the victim’s identity and the VIN of his truck had been fraudulently used to sell a stolen truck with the same make, model, and description as his.

Detectives learned the truck registered in Livingston Parish had been sold by Reynaldo Lujano, 32, Conroe, TX, in June 2024 in Lake Charles.  After further investigation, with the assistance of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, it was determined the truck in Livingston had been previously reported stolen through the Houston Police Department.  Livingston Parish deputies were able to determine the truck’s wiring was modified to display the cloned VIN on an onboard diagnostic scanner, in an attempt to conceal the truck’s actual VIN.  After further inspection of the stolen truck, it was discovered all the VIN plates had been replaced with the VIN numbers from the cloned truck in Calcasieu Parish.  It was also learned Lujano used the victim’s identity to prepare fraudulent documents for the sale.

On Jan. 28, CPSO VCIU detectives issued a warrant for Lujano’s arrest.

On Feb. 2, CPSO detectives received additional information that Lujano had possibly sold another stolen truck in the Sulphur area.  Deputies were able to locate the truck at a local business, and made contact with the owner.  Upon inspection, detectives were able to locate the correct VIN number and learned it was also stolen out of Houston.  Similar to the initial case, the VIN number had been altered and wiring was modified to display a fraudulent VIN.

The victim advised deputies he met with Lujano at a store in Sulphur after inquiring about a truck for sale on Facebook marketplace.  Lujano used a fake identity when meeting with the victim and collected over $40,000 in cash for the sale of the truck, providing the victim with forged documents.

On Feb. 7, CPSO VCIU detectives issued an additional warrant for Lujano’s arrest.  He is being charged with 2 counts of illegal possession of stolen things over $25,000; 2 counts of theft over $25,000; 2 counts of motor vehicle alteration or removal of identifying numbers; 2 counts of forgery; and 2 counts of identity theft.  Judge Tony Fazzio set his total bond at $280,000.

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information on Lujano’s whereabouts they are asked to call CPSO at 491-3605.

VCIU Detective Tyler McKnight is the lead investigator on this case.