Authorities in Louisiana Arrest Suspect in Connection with Stolen Vehicle, Counterfeit VIN Plates, and Other Crimes
Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana – Authorities in Louisiana have arrested a suspect in connection with the theft of a vehicle, the use of counterfeit VIN plates, and other crimes.
On April 27, 2023, Louisiana State Police (LSP) reported that on March 14, 2023, the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit New Orleans Field Office (LSP-IFAT-NFO) was contacted by Homeland Security Investigations regarding the seizure of illegal items being imported into the United States.
According to the inquiry, on March 8, 2023, inspectors from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) discovered a suspicious shipment from Bulgaria with an ultimate destination in Amite, Louisiana. The package’s contents were discovered to be two counterfeit General Motors Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates.
On March 14, 2023, CBP discovered a second suspicious package from Bulgaria bound for a new location in Amite, Louisiana. The second package’s contents were determined to be two Ford VIN plates. Subsequent examination indicated that the number/letter sequence of the Ford VIN plates had not been used by Ford Motor Company, but it was unique to a 2019 Ford F-250. CBP found a third suspicious shipment from Columbia to the same location in Amite, Louisiana, on the same date. The package contained various types of identification that were found to be bogus. Detectives were able to identify 27-year-old Tijuan Rayun Self as a suspect through investigation and identified his residence to be the same address as the eventual destination of the first and third shipments.
On March 17, 2023, police secured and carried out a search warrant at Self’s Amite home. During the search, a $67,000 2019 Ford F-250 vehicle was discovered on the site. The F-250 was determined to have been stolen from a dealership in Tylertown, Mississippi on February 20, 2023, via illegal financing using a forged identity. The VIN found in the second package was also utilized during the fraudulent purchase, according to detectives. A 2020 Diamond Seed double axle trailer, valued at $16,000, was also discovered during the search and reported stolen by the Brookhaven Police Department in Mississippi on January 24, 2023. Furthermore, additional credit cards in names other than Self’s were discovered, five of which were linked to more than $2,000 in illegal purchases.
As a result of the investigation, Tijuan Rayun Self was arrested for Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (2 counts), Attempted Crime of Motor Vehicle Alteration or Removal of Identifying Numbers (1 count), Attempted Unlawful Possession of Fraudulent Documents for Identification Purposes (2 counts), Attempted Identity Theft (2 counts), Unauthorized Possession of Accessed Device (5 counts) and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.
Authorities indicated that LSP-IFAT-NFO continues to investigate crimes related to auto theft and insurance fraud. Citizens can report suspected fraud to the LSP-IFAT via: [email protected].
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.