According to a recent King5 Investigation, Detective Stokke from Seattle Police informed Pierce County prosecutors over two years ago of a criminal enterprise operating in/around Puyallup. From King5 Chris Ingalls investigation, we are told that Det Stokke believes up to 100 cars a month with cash profit of up to $2000 and possibly more per car were generated from an odometer roll back scam.

If we use a low/high approach then on the low side lets presume 50 cars a month times 24 months times $1000 cash profit then we get $1.2 million...cash. On the high side, lets presume 100 cars a month times 24 months times $2000 cash profit then we get $4.8 million...cash. Regardless of statistical analysis or not, the truth is unreported cash probably into the millions was stolen from unsuspecting people throughout our communities. I wonder how the IRS and our own State Department of Revenue/taxation feel about this story?

Now, lets look at another angle that was briefly mentioned in the King5 Investigation. Apparently this crime syndicate operated out of several lavish homes in/around Puyallup. I am sure King5 and Seattle Police are aware of the locations of these homes. How were they purchased? Are they being rented? Regardless of purchase, lease or rent the question that I come up with is how does a criminal enterprise pay for the homes? Answer--cash. Then this odometer roll back scheme involves more than just ripping off people on auto purchases, it is a conspiracy of money laundering. I know it is a stretch without cold hard facts but evidentiary considerations are pointing to a conspiracy of a rogue crime family engaging in odometer roll backs. Then, this family uses the illgotten gains to pay for "lavish homes" thereby setting the conditions for money laundering. Why? How else would you claim the money if you don't have a job and not paying taxes? You need to hide it and "buying, leasing or renting" homes to further your crime syndication is a good way. The aire of legitimacy is sought and the crime family believes that by melting into the background of good neighborhoods that no one will notice the stink of crime nor the fact that a criminal enterprise has been operating without intervention by Pierce County.

During the 3 week King5 investigation, Chris Ingalls documented over 700,000 miles rolled back. King5 uncovered several victims and demonstrated how this crime syndicate ripped off unwary customers. Well, what of the two years that had gone unnoticed? How many MILLIONS OF MILES have been deleted from automobiles now on the road? How many car drivers are gambling with own lives as well as those being shared on the road thinking that a low mileage car is anything but?

In the televised investigation, King5 uncovered the real challenge--OUR LOCAL PROSECUTOR NEEDS TO "GET OFF THE CHAIR" (as voiced by a victim identified by King5) and take documented criminals and conspiracies to court and seek maximum legal recourse. This needs to be done not only to deter future criminals and conspiracies, not only to help victims realize their car may be unsafe/unworthy, not only to force realization to our local elected officials that there is a gap in our motor vehicle audit trail, not only to identify potential for other crimes to be concurrent with this scam (such as tax evasion, money laundering) but to reinforce our community standard that CRIME WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!