HOUSTON, TX – A Houston woman found herself in a bewildering predicament after purchasing a vehicle from a local dealership, only to discover that it had been reported stolen from another state. Now, she’s seeking answers and accountability in a case that has left her both perplexed and financially burdened.
Emory Diaz thought she had made a routine purchase when she bought a 2022 white Dodge Charger from a dealership on October 29, 2024. Everything seemed legitimate at the time. She and her brother-in-law, Juan Hurtado, were satisfied after a test drive and decided to finalize the purchase. However, their relief was short-lived.
The situation took a dramatic turn last Sunday when Diaz was pulled over by Splendora police while driving the Charger. To her shock, officers informed her that the vehicle was listed as stolen. “I was stunned,” Diaz said. “I had no idea I was driving a stolen car.”
The Splendora Police Department confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Missouri. The case is now under investigation by the Montgomery County Auto Theft Task Force. Diaz insists she had no knowledge of the car’s history and is puzzled as to how it ended up on the dealership’s lot.
Jim Stallings, the general manager of the dealership, maintains that Diaz’s purchase was legitimate. “We had no indication that the car was stolen,” Stallings stated. “We are cooperating fully with the investigation to resolve this matter.”
A Carfax report revealed that the Charger was originally from Missouri and was auctioned last August before arriving in Texas the following month. Despite the ongoing investigation, Diaz is left in a difficult position, still making monthly payments on a car she cannot use. “It’s frustrating,” she said. “I’m paying nearly $1,000 a month for something I don’t even have.”
Diaz has never been to Missouri and is adamant about her innocence. She hopes for a swift resolution and is prepared to provide evidence to clear her name. “We have nothing to hide,” she asserted. “We just want this nightmare to end.”
The dealership and law enforcement are working to determine how the car was sold under such circumstances. Meanwhile, Diaz continues her quest for clarity and justice, hoping to regain possession of her vehicle or receive a refund.