Burlington County Car Dealer Sold Vehicles Illegally: Prosecutor

MAPLE SHADE, NJ — A used car dealer in Burlington County has been charged with altering temporary license plates to disguise the fact that he was selling cars he didn’t own the titles for, authorities announced.

Gavry Nelson, 36, of Willingboro, owns The Automotive Outlet at Route 38 and Stiles Avenue in Maple Shade, according to Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Maple Shade Police Chief Christopher Fletcher.

The investigation began after a Maple Shade Police Department patrol officer pulled over a vehicle for having a temporary license plate with an altered expiration date, police said. The car had been purchased at The Automotive Outlet.

During the investigation, police said they learned that Nelson was buying vehicles at auctions, even though he couldn’t get the titles because they had liens against them.

Nelson didn’t tell those buying the cars that he didn’t have the titles, police said. Instead, he repeatedly provided the purchasers with new temporary license plates that had been altered to extend the expiration date, police said.

The fact that he didn’t have the titles meant that those who purchased the vehicles were unable to register them with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, which has opened an investigation into Nelson’s actions, according to authorities.

Nelson has been charged with two counts of third-degree forgery and two counts of fourth-degree tampering.

Anyone who bought a car at this business and thinks they might be a victim of this crime is asked to call the Maple Shade Police Department at 856-234-8300.