Louisiana State Police Make Arrest in VIN Switching Case

A Lafayette, La., man suspected of selling vehicles with switched vehicle identification number (VIN) plates has been taken into custody by the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud Unit.

The LSP reports that in November it began investigating possible fraudulent activities conducted by Marvin Ziegler, manager of the Lafayette Towing Company in Lafayette. Ziegler has been charged with switching a VIN plate on a car and theft by fraud. His bond was set at $100,000.

Troopers located a 2003 Chrysler Concorde, displaying a changed VIN plate, which Ziegler had sold to an individual, according to the LSP. The VIN plate on the Concorde allegedly had been taken off of a vehicle that had been crashed at one time, and totaled by an insurance company. By switching the vehicle identification numbers, Ziegler was able to sell the Chrysler for more than fair market value.

LSP troopers believe Ziegler may have sold other vehicles with switched VIN plates and urge people who purchased a vehicle from Ziegler to contact State Police Detectives at 337-262-3341.

Investigation into the case is continuing.

Source: Louisiana State Police, www.lsp.org