Car Salesman Accused Of Stealing Down Payments

MIDDLETOWN, NY — After a three-month investigation into the theft of cash down payments at a car dealership, state police Wednesday arrested car salesman Michael Edison Ramos, 34, of Middletown. Police were first alerted to the thefts in March after a customer of Nissan-Kia Middletown realized that they had not been credited by the dealership for the full amount of their downpayment.

The ensuing investigation identified several additional victims, police said.

Ramos was arrested on June 19 and charged in both the towns of Wallkill and Wawayanda with third-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree grand larceny, first-degree falsifying business records, first-degree scheme to defraud, felonies, and possession of personal identification information, a misdemeanor.

He was arraigned and sent to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $7,500 bail.

State police are interested in speaking to anyone who feels that they may be a victim of this scheme. Callers should contact the Middletown barracks at 845-344-5300 and ask for the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

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