Who Is Michael A. Gonzalez? Accused Of Stealing 5 Tesla Cars

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Michael A. Gonzalez
Michael A. Gonzalez

Michael A. Gonzalez is a 32 year old man from Colchester, Vermont. Gonzalez has been accused by the Department of Justice of stealing five Tesla vehicles, including one that burned on a frozen portion of Shelburne Bay in 2019.

Gonzalez Indicted. “According to the indictment filed in the case, between September 2018 and January 2021, Gonzalez obtained five Tesla vehicles worth a total of approximately $607,000 from dealerships in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Florida. For each vehicle, Gonzalez made an initial payment of approximately $2,500, and then arranged for electronic funds transfers to cover the balance of the vehicle’s price from accounts with insufficient funds or from fictitious accounts.” [DOJ]

DOJ: Gonzalez’s Tesla Burned On Shelburne Bay, Tried To Get Insurance Money. “Gonzalez was never issued the necessary paperwork to resell the fifth vehicle, which subsequently burned on a frozen portion of Shelburne Bay on February 24, 2019.  Gonzalez attempted to claim insurance funds for the value of this burned Tesla, but the insurance claim was denied. ” [DOJ]

Firefighters Were Shocked By Burning Tesla. “Shelburne Fire Chief Jerry Ouimet said his department could do little when members responded around 8:15 p.m. that night. The blaze was hundreds of yards from the nearest access point at the Shelburne Bay Boat Ramp and, while the ice was thick, “It’s nothing we’re gonna throw a 50,000-pound fire truck on,” he said.” [Seven Days]

Gonzalez Previously Charged With Stolen Tesla. “Michael A. Gonzalez, 31, who listed the Champlain Inn at 165 Shelburne Road in Burlington as his current address, is charged with trying to peddle the stolen 2019 Tesla X, valued at about $115,000, at an auto shop in Seabrook, N.H. on Jan. 17, town police reported.” [Shelburne News]

Could Face 50 Years In Prison. “On August 26, 2021, a federal Grand Jury sitting in Burlington, Vermont returned a five-count indictment against Gonzalez for the sale and possession of stolen motor vehicles. If convicted, Gonzalez faces up to ten years in custody on each count. ” [DOJ]