INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 54-year-old was arrested after deputies said he sold two cars, kept one of the automobiles and purposefully gave the buyers the wrong title to the other vehicle.
Carl Fischer
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Deputies said Carl Anthony Fischer collected nearly $7,000 from two residents in the vehicle sales. Fischer told deputies the residents stole the titles to the automobiles and illegally titled them in their name.
Deputies arrested Fischer, of the 8700 block of 70th Avenue, on charges of organized fraud under $20,000, third-degree grand theft, grand theft auto and filing a false report. Fischer was released Saturday from the Indian River County Jail on $21,000 bond.
Indian River County deputies spoke with a man and woman on Feb. 24. The two said Fischer sold them a 1972 red Chevrolet Camaro and a 1972 black Chevrolet Chevelle, reports show.
Deputies said Fischer gave the two the wrong title to the Chevelle so he could sell the car again. The buyers did not check the VIN number – which would match the information on the title – when they picked the car up, reports show.
Fischer, however, told deputies the residents stole the Chevelle and several titles for other vehicles he owned, which later proved to be false. Fischer denied selling the vehicle, reports show.
Deputies said at some point Fischer took back the Chevelle from the victims and demanded they give him more money to get the vehicle and title.
Deputies learned that on Feb. 22, Fischer transferred the title of the Chevelle to another resident after selling the vehicle a second time, reports show.
The buyers also said Fischer had not turned over the Camaro they bought from him, reports show. A bill of sale and original title for the vehicle named the victims as owners, records show.
Friday, deputies arrested Fischer and took him to the county jail. Fischer has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. April 12, court records show.