POLICE Department
HPD Auto Theft, Other Agencies Make Multiple Arrests, Dismantle Fraud Ring
May 6, 2016 - Charges have been filed against four suspects arrested following a lengthy investigation into fraudulent operations of a body shop in southeast Houston.
The suspects, Ricardo Gonzalez (H/m, 41), Andres Vasquez (H/m, 39), Ruben Barhona Rendon (H/m, 27) and Brenda Reyes Awawdeh (H/f, 34), are charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in the 182nd State District Court. Photos of the suspects are attached to this news release.
HPD Auto Dealers investigators received information and complaints regarding fraudulent practices and operations being conducted at the USA Collision, 3500 Almeda Road. Citizens involved in accidents reported after their cars were towed to USA Auto Collision, they were deceived into signing documents granting the body shop the legal right to perform repairs that were, in many cases, unnecessary and then billed at an extremely high cost. Customers also stated questionable charges were added to the bills, such as transfer fees of more than $200 dollars, to move vehicles between the storage lot and the repair shop, which were within a few feet of each other.
USA Auto Collision consists of several separate businesses that operate as follows:
- USA Auto Collision is the towing company awarded the Safe-Clear contract. At the time of the investigation as part of the Safe Clear vetting process, the towing portion of the business had no complaints and, to this date, appear to have no complaints.
- Stan's Wrecker, which only operates the storage lot where USA Collision deposited the cars towed. Complaints were generated against this business due to presenting customers with excessive charges to get their vehicles back.
- USA Auto Collision also operates a body shop under the same name and was part of the investigation.
Following a lengthy joint investigation by the HPD Auto Theft Division and Auto Dealers Detail, along with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), search and arrest warrants were executed Thursday (May 5) at USA Collision at 3500 Almeda. Suspects Gonzalez (manager of the business), Vazquez (shop manager), Rendon, and Awawdeh were taken into custody without incident.
Anyone who has additional information in these cases or who may be a victim is urged to contact the HPD Auto Dealers Detail at 832-394-4800 or 832-394-4969 (after-hours) or send an email to hpd.autodealers@houstonpolice.org
Ricardo Gonzalez
Andres Vasquez
Ruben Barhona Rendon
Brenda Reyes Awawde
VHS/RMM/KJS 5-6-15
For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.
