PHOENIX – An auto theft report in Scottsdale led to the arrest of a man wanted for fraud in California.
The fugitive, Lambert Dean Vander Tuig, had been living under an alias in Arizona for several years when he was taken into custody earlier this month, according to the Scottsdale Police Department.
Detectives figured out his true identity while investigating an auto theft.
In February, the victim identified the suspect as “Michael Andrew Kennedy aka Steven Kennedy” and said he lived in the area of 100th Street and Mountain View Road.
Investigators learned that Vander Tuig was known to use those names.
The victim recovered the stolen vehicle in what was deemed to be a civil matter, but the investigation didn’t end.
Why was man wanted for fraud in California?
Vander Tuig was found to have an outstanding FBI warrant for a March 2023 fraud case. He also had a previous conviction for embezzling $50 million from investors, police said.
On April 15, Scottsdale officers conducted surveillance in the area the victim described and contacted the suspect near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and the Loop 101 Pima Freeway.
Police said he identified himself as Steven Kennedy, had an Arizona identification card and presented the social security number and date of birth associated with Vander Tuig.
He was arrested for the outstanding fraud warrant without incident.
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