Texas Repo Tied To Nationwide Theft Ring
Authorities have provided an update revealing how a Texas repossession led to the unraveling of a web of theft and deception.
In December, Brandon Copley lost thousands of dollars after unknowingly purchasing a stolen mini excavator from Facebook Marketplace.
The turning point came in July, when Copley was using the equipment at his home, and a repo man showed up unexpectedly. The repo man informed Copley that the mini excavator actually belonged to a Home Depot in Georgia and had been reported stolen.
This revelation set off a chain of discoveries. Copley later learned that the individual who sold him the excavator was the same person who had rented it from the Georgia Home Depot. Copley had wired $18,000 to this man after the equipment was delivered to his home last summer, not realizing he was being scammed.
On Thursday, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Willy Tandongfor, charging him with theft of property valued at more than $2,500 but less than $30,000—a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
Investigators revealed that a man with the same name was arrested in Alabama last month during a sting operation. Authorities there believe Tandongfor is linked to a nationwide theft ring involving heavy machinery.
For Copley, this progress is encouraging.
“I am ecstatic that they’ve issued that warrant,” Copley said. “I know recovery will still be hard, if not impossible, but making sure this guy gets put away is one of my top priorities.”
Additionally, Copley has taken legal action, filing a lawsuit against Tandongfor on Thursday in an effort to recover his $18,000. While he remains hopeful, he acknowledges the challenge of getting his money back.
What started with a repossession has exposed a larger operation, bringing authorities one step closer to shutting down a complex theft scheme.
