Police were on the hunt last week for two armed robbers who kidnapped a carrier owner and then stole $9,000 from her. Police never found the robbers because they never actually existed.
According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 call came in reporting that a woman was partially bound and gagged outside a residence in Caruthers, CA. She was transported to a local hospital where she told authorities that she’d been kidnapped and robbed.
The woman, 32-year-old Maria Gonzalez, claimed that she had been driving in Fresno when she stopped in the middle of the street for two dogs on the road. She claimed two men approached her, one armed with a gun, and got into her back seat. Eventually one of them switched seats with her. She then says she was knocked out and woke up with her hands bound behind her back and a gag in her mouth. They eventually dumped her in Caruthers.
While at the hospital, Gonzalez tearfully recounted what happened to her and told investigators that she had been carrying $9,000 in cash that her company owed to its drivers. But when they compared her story to video evidence, detectives quickly realized that she wasn’t telling the truth.
“The truth is Maria Gonzalez made up this entire story for the purpose of letting someone know that $9,000 had been stolen from her — $9,000 she was supposed to pay to subcontractors,” said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer. “The reality is she didn’t have the $9,000 to pay the subcontractors, and that’s why she made up the entire story.”
Gonzalez has been charged with filing a false police report.
Source: abc30, fresnobee, theroot, newsweek, officer, fresnobee
Rick says
Guess the contractors are screwed either way. Anybody with bad or slow credit pays up front in full.
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
That’s why I say that in the trucking industry a load should be paid 50% or more up front on all loads instead of having to wait weeks into months.
Penalties honored if not paid on time too.
Sandra Hudson says
Use factoring companies that do credit checks on the shipper
Kaliko Weems says
Or even 33% at agreement, 33% upon pick up and 34% upon delivery.
Robert says
Too much TV Maria.
Milton Johnston says
Hmmmm, did she have bail money? Or was she ROR? Guess it’s court for her and the sub contractors.
Max says
she’s in california….no more bail unless the accused is violent or proven a threat to others.
Juan Robledo says
Nice try, but no cigar, you getting caught and now being charged for embezzlement and causing time the cops could have have spent time at the donut shop and the lose of wages to the subcontractors will get you in hot water, your acting sucks as well
Tom says
She will have a story to tell her grand kids. The granny hall of shame
Buck says
What we need to do is all just park our trucks and this stuff can’t happen
Buck says
…How?
TheRealTrucker says
Like we don’t get screwed enough. Now people want us to not only work for free but pay for our own fuel too.
Phillip Nickerson says
Did she really think she was going to get away with this? That’s how criminals think.
Sha says
No, that is how dumb people think. There are so many smart criminals who go free all the time. Look at all big companies and politicians!
Paul says
She’s getting exactly what she deserves…I hope she gets locked up 4 at least a year…..
Ed says
Yeah and I bet the $9 G is STILL in a shoebox somewhere…
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
Can’t pay my bills either. No better arrangements and rights to drivers are way over due
Skim says
Mote like in a casino vault
Gary says
Nah, she spent it all on lottery tickets. I bet she was really sweating scratching that last one. Lol
R.J. says
Nice to know their big concern is the filing of a false report instead of not paying the drivers.
Getting a CDL is an expensive way to become a 3rd class citizen…..
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
No she spent it. Had to be really desperate to pull a trick like that.
MARIO ALBERTO Garza says
They should put a lien on her holdings and have her put up a sizable to pay driver in case something like these happens revoke her license to be part of any trucking duties plus jailtime
Daniel Walker says
Charge with filling a false police report? That’s it?
Dan Kennedy says
Agreed! 50% up front! Her “reputation ” will follow. sadly there has to be some trust in this business. It is people like her really ruin our endeavor.
Arik Bibicoff says
I mean I can appreciate the attempt, as the saying goes — “Fake it till you make it.”. With method acting like that, she needs to be in show business!
Gary says
Had the police believed her story, she probably would’ve started a gofundme me account. Lol
James C says
But the dog ate my homework!
Jesus says
She should have ask the drug cartels if she could borrow $9,000!! She could have paid it back once she got the money!!
Sara says
So she is trusted with cash. The only charge I think she will get is from the manufacturer story. Who gives that kind of cash to anyone who does a job for them. Knowing they could deny receiving it.
Joe S. says
It’s sad to see this Industry go to hell , I gave it up. Not just this woman’s scam but 100’s of scams and BS.