Man Arrested on Charges of Defrauding Car Buyers

A Pasadena man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of defrauding car buyers in Europe by offering classic cars for sale but failing to deliver the vehicles as promised, despite receiving deposits on the sales, police said.

Andre C. Hulstaert was arrested at his home and booked on grand theft charges stemming from transactions by his firm, United States Car Exchange, said Cmdr. Gary Bennett.

Hulstaert was released Wednesday pending further investigation, police said. He could not be reached for comment.

Bennett said Hulstaert advertised in Old Timers--a German car magazine distributed throughout Europe--saying he had classic early 1970s cars for sale, including Mercedes and Porsches in good condition. Police said Hulstaert received deposits into his bank account from prospective buyers but in many cases never delivered the vehicles.

“He bilked people out of money in Norway, Germany, France and the Netherlands,� Bennett said.