Former internet celebrity arrested for $400000 gold theft - Santa Monica Daily Press

The Santa Monica Police Department has arrested a erstwhile net prankster connected allegations helium stole much than $400,000 from clients of his institution that purported to merchantability precious metals. 

Cody Roeder was arrested connected Nov. 16 and subsequently posted bail but SMPD said his charges stem from allegations helium stole from respective clients successful aggregate states. 

The lawsuit began successful June of 2022 erstwhile Santa Monica nonmigratory Ariel Levy said Roeder defrauded an aged household member. 

Levy’s household was visiting and wanted to merchantability respective gold/silver bars arsenic portion of his status plan. After contacting reputable dealers successful Santa Monica, helium recovered Roeder’s company, Freedom Shield Capital, connected the internet. After online contact, Levy and his household met Roeder astatine his bureau successful the 401 Wilshire building. 

During that meeting, Levy said helium noticed contiguous reddish flags with the process but his household subordinate decided to proceed with the woody and Levy secured some a merchantability bid for the metals and a cheque for $208,000. 

Roeder asked Levy to clasp disconnected connected cashing the cheque for 3 to 4 days portion helium authenticated the metals and transferred funds. 

“Although I had my doubts, we handed implicit each the bullion and we left,” said Levy. “Three days went by and nary wealth had been wired. I called and said ‘what’s happening?’ and helium said ‘Well, it’s taking longer than I thought but I’m going to nonstop you a PDF showing the ligament transfers that I’m making.’”

Levy said helium received PDF documents that supposedly showed wealth was being transferred done accounts but Roeder continued to marque excuses for the deficiency of payment. Levy took it upon himself to analyse by contacting Roeder’s slope which confirmed an relationship existed for Roeder but said it did not person capable successful it to screen the check. Levy besides checked connected Roeder’s bureau abstraction and learned it was really a coworking site. 

When Levy yet tried to currency the cheque successful July, aft respective weeks of vigor soundlessness from Roeder, it bounced and that’s erstwhile Levy contacted the authorities. 

Levy said Roeder yet made an connection to settee immoderate ineligible claims for $75,000 positive aboriginal payments but Levy said Roeder’s past of failing to marque payments undermined immoderate religion helium mightiness person had successful a deal. 

Unbeknown to Levy, different victims were besides coming guardant astatine astir this time. 

According to SMPD, a 2nd unnamed unfortunate met with Roeder successful July to sermon investing successful the precious metals business. The unfortunate wired Roeder $90,000 and was told helium would person the metals successful a fewer weeks. The items ne'er arrived and according to SMPD, Roeder chopped disconnected each connection with the 2nd victim. 

“It was aboriginal determined that determination were respective different victims from aggregate states, with a nonaccomplishment totaling implicit $400,000,” said Lt. Rudy Flores. 

Flores said SMPD secured a hunt warrant for Roeder’s slope accounts which confirmed that $90,000 was wired to his relationship successful July.  After aggregate attempts to interaction Roeder astatine his bureau and residence failed, officers filed a felony ailment with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office for 2 counts of theft by mendacious pretense and 2 counts of elder abuse. 

Flores said Roeder was located successful Venice connected Nov. 16 and arrested. 

Detectives past executed a hunt warrant astatine his residence successful the 1400 artifact of Ocean Ave. and recovered respective physics devices.  Multiple affidavits were written and served to Roeder’s slope accounts.

Records amusement helium was booked into the Sheriff’s jailhouse with a bail of $100,000 and that helium made bail respective hours later. His adjacent tribunal day is scheduled for Dec. 20. 

Roeder antecedently operated a YouTube prank transmission that resulted successful a suit from In-and-Out Burger aft Roeder was alleged to person impersonated the company’s CEO during a stunt. 

Crimes Against Persons (CAPS)  Detective Kayondo is the investigating detective connected this case. Anyone with immoderate further accusation pertaining to these incidents tin scope him astatine 310-458-8937.

editor@smdp.com