Matt Sims
Police are trying to catch a suspect in a series of classified ad rip-offs they've been working.
Detective Jackie Conn says Matt Sims, 38, is accused of advertising cars on the cheap on Craigslist or in newspapers. When a victim calls wanting to buy it, Sims claims to not have the title but asks for money to hold it until the title is ready. That's about the last time the buyer sees Sims, Conn said.
The detective also says Sims has been known to sell vehicles with the wrong license plate or title and to lie about the vehicle history.
Sims has also ventured into real estate, advertising apartments and rooms that he doesn't own as being for rent, collecting a deposit and disappearing, Conn said. In some cases, he has shown the property to potential renters without the owner's permission.
Sims is wanted on a $20,000 warrant charging him with theft.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call police at 786-8900.
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