A Fullerton police officer faces felony charges after allegedly stealing around $24,000 from a financial lender and a wholesale automobile buyer.
Hugo Garcia, 32, is accused of failing to repay an approximately $12,000 loan and fraudulently selling his Chevrolet Tahoe, which was collateral for the unpaid loan.
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Garcia allegedly took an approximately $12,000 loan from a financial lender in October 2012. He made two payments on the loan and then failed to make any additional payments, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.
The following month, Garcia allegedly advertised his Tahoe on Craigslist, despite the truck being collateral for the loan. The truck was sold for $12,000 cash to a wholesale buyer, who later sold the truck to a customer.
In March 2013, the financial lender repossessed the vehicle.
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The wholesale buyer repaid the customer, and after failed attempts to recoup losses from Garcia, reported the case to the Fullerton Police Department in October 2013.
Garcia is scheduled to be arraigned March 14 on charges of grand theft and embezzlement. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in jail. Garcia was off duty when the alleged crimes took place.
