News Summary
Pablo Beato has received a 15-month prison sentence and ordered to pay $150,000 for tampering with odometers on 42 vehicles. His schemes involved conspiracy to commit forgery and defraud unsuspecting buyers, which came to light following investigations by Rhode Island State Police. Along with probation after his sentence, authorities continue to seek information from the public on related activities.
Providence, Rhode Island
Pablo Beato, 53, has been sentenced to 15 months at the Adult Correctional Institutions (ACI) following his participation in a scheme involving the rollback of odometers on 42 vehicles. In addition to his prison term, Beato has been ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution.
Beato pleaded nolo contendere to multiple charges, including one count of conspiracy to tamper with odometers, one count of conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses, and one count of conspiracy to commit forgery. After serving his prison sentence, he will also undergo 15 months of probation.
The investigation into Beato’s activities began in 2020 when the Rhode Island State Police (RISP) received reports concerning forged title certificates associated with his dealership. The examination of these documents revealed that they had been altered to reflect false, lower odometer readings than the actual mileage of the vehicles.
Details of the Scheme
Between 2018 and 2021, Beato sold a total of 42 vehicles, purchased primarily from P.B. Auto Repair & Import, LLC, located on Cranston Street in Providence. Following multiple reports of wrongdoing, RISP inspected Beato’s dealership on February 17, 2020. During this inspection, it was determined that Beato lacked the necessary licensing to operate as a car dealer in Rhode Island.
Shortly after the inspection, on February 18, 2020, investigators discovered that Beato’s dealership had closed, and all the vehicles had been removed. Subsequently, he relocated his sales operations to his residence on Kenwood Street in Providence. Investigators noted that Beato utilized online platforms such as Facebook and Craigslist to advertise his vehicles for sale.
Evidence and Implications
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement identified 42 vehicles with tampered odometers designed to misrepresent their actual mileage. In total, around 50 vehicles were found to be advertised for sale online with rolled back odometers and fraudulent registration documents. Authorities seized 17 vehicles from Beato’s home and business as part of this ongoing investigation.
Additional individuals involved in this illegal scheme include Bersania Bencosme and Eddy Bencosme Diaz, who also face similar charges related to the odometer rollback incidents.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Action
The prosecution is being conducted by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office, and they are continuing their efforts to address this prevalent issue. Members of the community who may have information regarding the purchase of vehicles from Beato or his associates are encouraged to contact R.I. State Police Detective Stephen Brown at (401) 462-5744. Reporting these matters is crucial to help investigate and eliminate fraudulent activities in the automotive sales sector.
Conclusion
The actions of Pablo Beato and his associates serve as a reminder of the importance of due diligence when purchasing vehicles. Buyers are advised to verify the legitimacy of documentation and carefully assess the condition of vehicles to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
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Additional Resources
- WPRI: 3 Charged in Odometer Rollback Scheme
- Wikipedia: Odometer Fraud
- ABC6: Car Dealer Sentenced for Odometer Rollback
- Google Search: Odometer Rollback Fraud
- Fall River Reporter: Three Arrested in Odometer Rollback Scheme
- Google Scholar: Odometer Fraud Laws
- Patch: RI Trio Sold Cars with Fake Mileage Readings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Turn to 10: Odometer Fraud in Southern New England
- Google News: Vehicle Fraud Rhode Island
