RV Dealer in Lockeford Arrested on Dozens of Grand Theft Charges in Alleged Consignment Fraud

A quiet corner of Lockeford, California, has been unexpectedly rocked by news of a significant criminal investigation, sending ripples of concern and disbelief through the community. Authorities in San Joaquin County recently announced the arrest of Thomas Shurtz, the 44-year-old proprietor of Carson Pass RV, on a staggering array of charges connected to an alleged RV consignment fraud scheme that left numerous individuals in a difficult spot.

Shurtz was taken into custody on August 19, 2026, a pivotal moment in an investigation that had been quietly building for months. Initially, he faced 53 counts of grand theft, a serious accusation under California Penal Code § 487(a). However, by the time of his arraignment on September 3, 2026, those charges had actually climbed to 55 counts, including 53 felony grand theft charges. Adding to the gravity, prosecutors have also included enhancements for aggravated white-collar crime and excessive loss, noting that the alleged property loss easily surpassed $200,000. It's no wonder, then, that his bail has been set at a substantial $2.1 million – a clear indicator of the seriousness of the allegations.

So, what exactly happened here? The core of the accusation revolves around a fundamental breach of trust in the world of consignment sales. People would, quite reasonably, bring their recreational vehicles to Carson Pass RV, entrusting Shurtz to sell them on their behalf. The expectation, of course, was that once a sale was made, the original owners would receive their payment. Yet, investigators allege that Shurtz sold these RVs without properly notifying the rightful owners, and perhaps more critically, without ever completing the necessary Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) documentation. Imagine handing over your RV, only to find it's been sold and you're left with no money and a tangle of legal uncertainty. It’s a truly frustrating, even heartbreaking, scenario for those involved.

The trail of alleged misconduct, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, stretches from April 1, 2025, right up until April 1, 2026. This wasn't a one-off incident; it appears to be a pattern. The whole investigation kicked off in March 2026 after reports started trickling in about potential fraudulent sales of these consignment RVs. Interestingly, or perhaps tellingly, the Carson Pass RV dealership itself abruptly shut its doors around that very same time in March, just as the complaints began to mount.

For Shurtz, the road ahead looks incredibly long and difficult. If convicted on these multiple charges and enhancements, he could be facing more than 46 years behind bars. It's a stark reminder that in business, especially when dealing with people's valuable assets, trust and transparency aren't just good practices – they're legal obligations with very real consequences when ignored. This case serves as a powerful cautionary tale for both consumers and business owners alike, underscoring the vital need for due diligence and unwavering ethical conduct.