The short version
- Metro Puerto Rico reports police charged 49-year-old Carlos Báez Merced with illegal appropriation of a vehicle, aggravated illegal appropriation, fraud, aggravated damages, elder abuse and practicing auto mechanics without a license
- On Feb. 19 2025 an 86-year-old man gave Báez Merced a red 1970 Jeep Truck and a $12,000 personal check for restoration work in Aguas Buenas, according to both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel
- Police say the vehicle was later recovered completely dismantled and the agreed work was not performed, NotiCel reported
- Judge Karina Díaz Pérez found probable cause, set $25,000 bail which was posted, and placed the defendant on electronic monitoring until the preliminary hearing on Nov. 5
Charges filed in Caguas court
Police reported on Wednesday, Oct. 28 that a 49-year-old mechanic from Aguas Buenas faces criminal charges for allegedly taking $12,000 and dismantling a classic vehicle belonging to an 86-year-old man. Metro Puerto Rico reported the defendant is Carlos Báez Merced, who was accused of illegal appropriation of a vehicle, aggravated illegal appropriation, fraud, aggravated damages, mistreatment of an elderly person and practicing automotive mechanics without a license, among other offenses.
According to the investigation, on Feb. 19 2025 the victim handed over a red 1970 Jeep Truck and a personal check for $12,000 so that restoration work could be performed. NotiCel reported that Báez Merced allegedly failed to complete the agreed work and the vehicle was recovered fully dismantled. The case was investigated by Agent Katherine Goglas under the supervision of Sgt. Roberto Rodríguez of the Caguas Stolen Vehicles Division.
Also on PuertoRico.com: Caguas travel guide
Court outcome and conditions of release
Prosecutor Fernando Machado directed the filing of charges under the Penal Code, the Vehicle Property Protection Act, the Municipal Code and the law regulating the practice of automotive mechanics, both outlets stated. Judge Karina Díaz Pérez of the Caguas court found probable cause for arrest and set bail at $25,000, which the defendant posted.
Báez Merced was released provisionally under electronic monitoring until the preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 5. Both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel published nearly identical accounts citing the same police sources.
Where the sources differ
Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel agree on all core facts, including the defendant's name and age, the victim's age, the date the Jeep and check were delivered, the list of charges, the amount of money, the condition of the recovered vehicle, the judge's name, the bail amount and release conditions, and the names of the investigating officers. The only minor differences are wording and that Metro Puerto Rico lists the charges first while NotiCel presents the police statement before the list of charges; both cite the same police report.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether any of the $12,000 was recovered, the current location or condition of the Jeep beyond being dismantled, whether the victim has received any restitution, the exact address where the work was to be performed, or what prompted the police investigation months after the February 2025 delivery.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Acusan a mecánico por apropiarse de $12,000 y desmantelar vehículo de adulto mayor
- Reporting Acusan a mecánico de estafar a hombre de 86 años con restauración de vehículo
How we checked this
Both Metro Puerto Rico and NotiCel reported the charges and court outcome on Oct. 28 based on the same police information released that day. Details of the alleged offenses rest entirely on the police account.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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