BSM reported a theft to Rogers Police Department. BSM reported she found a vehicle on Facebook Marketplace for sale-a 2011 Honda Accord, MN license DKT-045. The original post listed the sale price at $7,000 with an approximate mileage of 90,000. BSM messaged the person who posted the sale. The profile for the person who posted the sale of the vehicle was “Amy Marlin.” BSM and the seller agreed on a price of $6,000 for the purchase of the vehicle. BSM arranged to meet the seller at the Saint Paul Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), [ADDRESS REDACTED], Saint Paul, County of Ramsey, on August 22, 2024, to complete the sale and title exchange.
BSM made payments to the seller through CashApp “$Mambabear.” The Minnesota State Secretary showed the vehicle was previously titled to Car Star Rentals, managed by Calvin Newell. DVS records produced one result for this name-CALVIN SERGION NEWELL, [DOB REDACTED]. NEWELL’S home address is the same as the address listed with Minnesota State Secretary for Car Star Rental, LLC. During a search, Trooper Noxon discovered the Facebook page for CarStarRentals.com, had an image of a Minnesota driver’s license, reverse side, for AMY CHRISTINE MARLIN, [DOB REDACTED]. MARLIN lives in the same city the Honda Accord was listed for sale.
BSM met NEWELL at the DVS office in Saint Paul on August 22, 2024, and completed the title transfer. During the visit, BSM noted a discrepancy on the title and the original Facebook Marketplace post. The title indicated the vehicle had 280,000 miles. BSM inquired about this. NEWELL said the vehicle had a new engine and the new engine has 90,000 miles on it. BSM was satisfied with this response, and completed the transfer of title and purchase of vehicle. Later, BSM had issues with the vehicle. NEWELL sent a mechanic to look at the vehicle.
It was at this time that BSM learned the vehicle had miles in excess of 407,000 miles. After, BSM reviewed the Facebook Marketplace listing again. The listing showed the vehicle was sold and the mileage listed was 400,000. Trooper Noxon obtained a Carfax report on the Honda Accord. Car Star Rentals had purchased the vehicle with approximately 183,000 miles on it. The Carfax report did not list an engine rebuild or change. During a conversation with Trooper Noxon, MARLIN denied any involvement with Cart Star Rentals.
MARLIN denied knowledge of the sale of the Honda Accord. During the conversation, MARLINE shouted, and was upset. Sgt. Erickson used Kelly Blue Book to determine the value of the Honda Accord. Using the minimum accurate mileage of the Honda Accord of 400,000 miles, the private value range of the vehicle is $3, 766- $7, 331, with reported private party value of $5,549. Using the mileage reported at the time of sale of 90,000 miles, the private value range is $6, 537-$10, 102, with a reported private value of $8, 320. The difference in the value is $2, 771.00.
