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Just In: There is no property tax increase in the budget proposal submitted Tuesday by Raleigh City Manager J. Russell Allen to the city council.

Posted: April 16, 2008

Salesman Charged in Mass Auto Theft

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Raleigh, N.C. — Police arrested and charged the salesman of a Raleigh auto dealership where more than 20 cars were reported stolen.

Anthony Mark Esposito, 55, of 6536 S. Tanglewood Drive in Raleigh, is charged with one count of breaking and entering and larceny and five counts of felony larceny in connection with the theft of 21 vehicles.

The owner of AME Auto Sales, at 1200 Capital Blvd., called police Sunday evening after he discovered the vehicles missing, authorities said.

Twenty-one of them were recovered late Monday afternoon at a "car-related facility" in Durham, Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said Monday. He declined, however, to elaborate about the facility.

Esposito was in the Wake County Jail Wednesday afternoon under a $75,000 secured bond.

His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

Reporter: Amanda Lamb
Web Editor: Kelly Gardner

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CHOP SHOP

tartar1
April 16, 2008 6:21 p.m.

http://www.charlotte.com/breaking_news/story/583507.html

That's the link to the Charlotte Observer.

All of the cars have been recovered. One was found on Navajo Drive in Raleigh with a flat tire. The rest were found at an auto sales facility in Durham, Sughrue said. He was not sure whether they were on a sales lot or in storage. I guess he wanted to sell them some where else.

asxysldr
April 16, 2008 4:39 p.m.

How in the world did this person think he wouldn't get caught? One or two cars, maybe. This many? No way.

purplepat777
April 16, 2008 4:18 p.m.

Just dicovered he owned another place in Durham that is a car sales palce. Bet that is the "other car facility" they are talking about.

He apparently owned the Raleigh one, sold it and became a salesperson. Still listed as owner of the Durham one.

fanzalive
April 16, 2008 3:45 p.m.

Another Darwin Award candidate