A routine car trade-in by Laura Halen in New Jersey quickly became a legal nightmare after the dealership failed to transfer the car title, leaving the vehicle legally in Halen’s name and resulting in numerous violations and an arrest warrant for her.
It all started on May 20, 2024, when Halen went to Fette Kia in Clifton, New Jersey, to finalize the trade-in of her Jeep Wrangler. She entered into a lease agreement for a new car, and the dealership, through salesperson Argenis R. Checo, took immediate physical possession of the Wrangler. Halen believed Checo would promptly finalize the necessary paperwork and return the used vehicle to the prior leasing company, thus completing the process, per NJ.com.
The mysterious toll and parking violations
But shortly after the trade-in, Halen began receiving numerous notices for unpaid toll and parking violations. The penalties had accumulated because the Jeep Wrangler remained registered to Halen, leading to an arrest warrant finally being issued in her name.
Upon reporting the issue to the authorities, an investigation revealed that the Jeep had clearly not been returned as promised. Instead, police determined that Checo had allegedly been using the vehicle personally for months, even reportedly residing in it, using the vehicle as an unauthorized temporary dwelling.
“Theft by unlawful taking”
The misconduct came to a head in July 2024 when the Verona Police Department located the vehicle and confirmed it was still active under Halen’s name. Fette Kia immediately terminated Checo’s employment. Authorities charged Checo with “theft by unlawful taking”, a third-degree criminal offense in New Jersey for exercising unlawful control over movable property without permission.
On May 12, 2025, Checo pleaded guilty to the charge and was ordered to pay $1,016 in restitution for the assessed losses, officially closing the criminal portion of the case.
The civil litigations
Halen subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Checo and Fette Kia. Her complaint alleges negligence on the part of the dealership for its failure to properly supervise the employee and maintain internal controls, ensuring the trade-in was executed correctly. This alleged institutional negligence directly exposed Halen to significant legal liability and reputational damage.
As the civil case proceeds, legal scrutiny is expected to focus heavily on the corporate oversight and detailed internal procedures at Fette Kia, aiming to determine the exact degree of the company’s responsibility. Halen continues to seek accountability from all parties involved in the unexpected and upsetting outcome of her simple car trade-in.
Published: Nov 13, 2025 04:45 pm