Police records reviewed by Local 4 tied more than 25 alleged auto-fraud victims to one Dearborn man now facing a 10-count felony case in Wayne County.
ClickOnDetroit reported that Marcelo Cipriano Alvarado, 31, is charged with conducting a criminal enterprise, using a computer to commit a crime, and eight counts of false pretenses.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy told Local 4 that Alvarado is accused of taking money from people to repair cars and, in some cases, to buy vehicles for them.
“It is alleged that the defendant took advantage of honest, hardworking people by taking their money to repair cars and in some instances purchase a car on their behalf,” Worthy told Local 4. “He took their money and took advantage of them.”
The charges are allegations. No conviction was reported in the sources reviewed.
Prosecutors Say the Complaints Became a 10-Count Case
Local 4 said its investigators had been looking into Alvarado since September 2025 and reviewed hundreds of pages of police reports, complaints, Metro Detroit Auto-theft Recovery Team documentation, and civil and criminal case material.
The alleged pattern included payments for cars that never arrived and vehicles taken for repairs that customers said were not returned. Local 4 also reported complaints involving bad checks, repeated excuses about parts being “on the way,” claims about family deaths, and eventually unanswered calls.
Worthy told the station that alleged victims should not blame themselves for trusting him.
“The victims are shocked that someone they trusted would do something so cruel,” Worthy said. “I would urge these victims not to beat themselves up over placing their trust in this man.”
A Family Says One Car Deal Cost Nearly $80,000
James Balina is listed as a victim in the 10-count case against Alvarado, according to Local 4.
Balina told the station he first saw cars displayed in 2021 at an Allen Park storefront called AP Service Center 1. He believed he was buying a Chrysler 300 Hellcat. After hearing the prices, his father and brother also got involved.
Balina said Alvarado initially sent photos and text messages showing cars “on the way” or “in the shop.” Later, Balina said, the explanations became repetitive and calls went unanswered.
Months later, Balina said, the storefront was empty. Local 4 reported that his family was out nearly $80,000 and still did not have the cars or money back.
Another Customer Says His Engine Disappeared
Marvin Morris, of Detroit, is also listed as a victim in the 10-count case, Local 4 reported.
Morris said he met Alvarado at a Lincoln Park storefront called Drive Dreams LLC in June 2025 and dropped off a working car for enhancements. He said Alvarado later told him the engine needed a full teardown.
Morris told Local 4 he paid $5,000 upfront and another $3,500 after being told the engine was being worked on. He said he never saw his original motor or a replacement motor again.
In September 2025, Morris retrieved the vehicle after noticing parts disappearing from it, but said it was missing “dozens of parts.” Local 4 reported that Morris recorded a confrontation in which Alvarado appeared to acknowledge owing him $12,000 because parts had been removed and the “entire motor disappeared.”
Police Records Point to Complaints Across Michigan and Ohio
Local 4 said its review found reports of alleged fraud, embezzlement, and larceny tied to Alvarado dating back to 2017.
In Trenton, police received two 2025 reports. One woman said she paid $6,500 and never received a car. Another couple said they were out $3,500 and also went to civil court, according to the station.
In Warren, records reviewed by Local 4 showed Alvarado was arrested in October 2023 over allegations that he took more than $15,000 from a woman and gave her a bad check. In Clinton Township, a man told police in March 2025 that he was defrauded out of about $18,000.
Local 4 also reported an active Toledo, Ohio, warrant for felony theft by deception tied to more than $8,000 in alleged fake checks for car engines.
Documents from Michigan State Police and other agencies showed Alvarado being investigated by police or agencies in Plymouth Township, Lincoln Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Allen Park, Wyandotte, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Southgate, Warren, Trenton, Toledo, and Clinton Township, according to Local 4. The station said MDART records documented “25+ victims” and “12 more complainants” who had not yet been investigated.
Michigan Drivers Can Check Repair Licenses Before Paying
For Michigan drivers, the licensing records point to a separate practical check before paying for repairs.
Local 4 reported that documents it reviewed included the phrases “Not licensed mechanic” and “failed in every category multiple times” regarding Alvarado.
The Michigan Department of State says businesses that perform vehicle repairs or maintenance for compensation must be registered with and licensed by the state. The department also says repair facilities are required to display a current valid repair facility license where customers can see it.
The state says information about an unlicensed repair facility or uncertified mechanic can be provided anonymously to the Michigan Department of State. Consumers can also file a complaint against a repair facility through e-Services.
Michigan also requires mechanics who perform motor vehicle maintenance, diagnosis, vehicle body work, or repair for compensation to be certified by the Department of State for the types of repairs they perform.
The Defense Side and the Next Court Date
Local 4 reported that Alvarado’s former attorney, Edward Ewald, said police and Wayne County had “decided to turn civil cases into criminal cases” and that he would not try the case publicly.
The station also reported that Alvarado’s newer attorney, Ben M. Gonek, declined to comment.
Local 4 said Alvarado is scheduled for a probable cause conference in the 25th District Court criminal-enterprise case at 9 a.m. on June 16, 2026.
Investigators from multiple agencies urged anyone who believes they may be a victim of Alvarado, who some say also goes by “Celly” or “Chelly,” to call police and file a report.