16 arrested, 18 wanted in Louisiana car theft, fraud case

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Louisiana State Police are searching for 18 people wanted in a statewide car theft ring. Sixteen suspects have been arrested.

An investigation into “disparities” in Public Tag Agencies and Auto Title Companies transactions in the state was launched in January 2022, according to an LSP news release. Troopers said the total value of cars involved in this case is estimated at over $9.8 million and the estimated tax fraud is more than $300,000.

This ring of suspects is accused of using fake documents to undervalue cars’ actual costs to avoid taxes. According to investigators, some of the cars were previously reported stolen and later found with identifiers changed or hidden.

LSP said thirty-four suspects are accused of using altered or fraudulent documents in transactions with 180 cars.

The 16 arrested and charged with forgery, filing false public records and felony theft were identified as:

• Errean Centeno, 35, of Covington, Louisiana
• Tashia Hubbard, 35, of Willis, Texas
• Willie Tolbert, 30, of Cleveland, Texas
• Kenneth Redding, 46, of Houston, Texas
• Leigha Garner, 33, of Conroe, Texas
• Alaric Cowart, 31, of Houston, Texas
• Raynaldo Hernandez III, 56, of Houston, Texas
• Samuel Thompson, 34, of Conroe, Texas
• Angel Gamino, 20, of Houston, Texas
• Maria Cantu, 40, of Houston Texas
• Shawn Carden, 26, of Humble, Texas
• Amber Archer, 31, of Belleview, Florida
• Tabatha McMullan, 39, of Houston, Texas
• Joshua Gipson, 27, of Humble, Texas
• Jacquez Evans, 34, of Corpus Christi, Texas
• Jacob Hurtado, 25, of Humble Texas

Investigators obtained extradition arrest warrants for 18 suspects wanted in the case.

LSP provided flyers with pictures and information about those still wanted in the case.

An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact LSP at 337-332-8080 or email LSP.Insurance.Fraud.Unit@la.gov.

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