NJ Repair Shop Employee Stole Client’s Car, Sold It For Scrap, Cops Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — An employee at an auto repair shop was arrested this week after stealing her client's car and unlawfully selling it for scrap, according to police.

Maribel Pena‑Matos, 49, of Paterson, faces several charges after having a client's car crushed for financial gain, police said.

In January, Bloomingdale police received a report from someone who had dropped their car off for repairs at a local mechanic shop and was unable to retrieve it for months, according to authorities.

An investigation found that the car, instead of being worked on, had been sold to a private, out-of-state company where it was crushed and scrapped, officials said.

Further investigation showed that Pena‑Matos had impersonated the car’s owner when dealing with the scrap yard and sold it for personal monetary gain, authorities said.

Pena‑Matos was arrested on Monday and charged with theft of a motor vehicle and impersonation. She was processed and released to await court proceedings.