Pennridge Regional Police Department. Photo by James Short.
An East Rockhill Township resident was among several victims defrauded in a nationwide luxury car scam that authorities said was orchestrated by a California man posing as a BMW executive.
According to Pennridge Regional Police, a resident from the 2600 block of Three Mile Run Road reported being scammed out of nearly $36,000 after attempting to purchase two BMW vehicles online, during the first week in August. Police said the seller was later identified as Jonathan Tudor, 64, of West Hollywood, California.
Tudor was arrested July 29 by Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives, who alleged he ran a scheme convincing victims to pay for high-end vehicles that never existed, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Investigators said Tudor hosted a private event at a Santa Barbara hotel in late 2024, where he presented himself as a BMW executive and offered “exclusive” deals on luxury vehicles. Victims, persuaded by the presentation, signed contracts and wired payments — typically around $16,000 each — for cars that were never delivered.
Sheriff’s detectives said they have identified at least four victims in Santa Barbara County, with additional cases reported by the Santa Barbara Police Department. Authorities believe there may be more victims across California and beyond.
When detectives executed a search warrant at Tudor’s West Hollywood residence, they seized luxury goods valued at more than $250,000, allegedly purchased with victims’ money. Tudor was booked into the Santa Barbara County Main Jail on 61 felony counts, including theft by false pretenses, grand theft, money laundering, and financial elder abuse. His bail was set at $350,000.
Pennridge Regional Police said their investigation into the East Rockhill case remains active and noted that Tudor’s arrest came following multiple fraud reports nationwide.
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud connected to Tudor is asked to contact Detective Kiesow of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at 805-681-4150, or to submit an anonymous tip at https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
