Lake Charles, Louisiana – On December 18, deputies from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) responded to a report of theft at the Sulphur Law Enforcement Center. The case began when a victim encountered an issue while attempting to renew the registration for his truck. Upon investigation, the victim learned that his vehicle was allegedly registered to another individual in Livingston Parish.
Detectives from the CPSO Vehicle Crimes Investigative Unit (VCIU) examined the truck, leading them to discover that the victim’s identity and the vehicle identification number (VIN) had been fraudulently used to sell a stolen truck that closely matched the victim’s truck in make, model, and description. Further investigation revealed that this stolen truck, registered in Livingston Parish, had been sold by 32-year-old Reynaldo Lujano of Conroe, Texas, in June 2024 in Lake Charles.
With assistance from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives found that the truck had been reported stolen to the Houston Police Department. The inquiry revealed modifications to the truck’s wiring that allowed it to display a cloned VIN, a tactic employed to hide the actual VIN. A thorough inspection of the stolen truck indicated that all VIN plates had been swapped with those from the truck in Calcasieu Parish. Additionally, Lujano had used the victim’s identity to create fraudulent documents for the sale.
On January 28, CPSO VCIU detectives issued a warrant for Lujano’s arrest. Subsequently, on February 2, they received information suggesting that Lujano may have sold another stolen truck in the Sulphur area. After locating the truck at a local business, detectives confirmed that it had also been stolen from Houston and exhibited similar alterations, including a modified wiring system and a fraudulent VIN.
The second victim reported meeting Lujano at a Sulphur store after seeing a truck for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Lujano allegedly used a false identity during this meeting and collected more than $40,000 in cash for the vehicle, providing the victim with forged documents.
On February 7, detectives issued an additional warrant for Lujano’s arrest. He now faces serious charges, including two counts of illegal possession of stolen things valued over $25,000, two counts of theft over $25,000, two counts of motor vehicle alteration or removal of identifying numbers, two counts of forgery, and two counts of identity theft. Judge Tony Fazzio has set Lujano’s total bond at $280,000.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Lujano’s whereabouts to contact the CPSO at 337-491-3605. Detective Tyler McKnight of the CPSO VCIU is leading the investigation into this complex case of vehicle theft and identity fraud.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.