Auto-Repair Scam Suspects Arrested in Albany – Police Issue Warning

Albany police said they have arrested two scam artists who took $800 from an elderly man for a bogus brake repair job.

Police issued a warning about predatory scams targetting older people for car and home repairs.

On June 26, two men, who had been approaching people in parking lots and offering to do repairs for them, followed the 89-year-old victim home and told him he had run over something and needed to have his brakes repaired immediately, police said in a press release Wednesday, July 3.

The man agreed and when he attempted to pay with a check, the two men forced him to go Mechanics Bank to pay them in cash, police said. The victim contacted police, who located the suspects nearby in a vehicle.

Police determined that no repair had been done to the vicitm's brakes and that brake fluid had been squirted on a tire and wheel well to simulate a leak, police said.

Here is the police release:

PRESS RELEASE

Auto Repair Scam Suspects Arrested in Albany

7/3/2013

On Wednesday, June 26th 2013, shortly after 1:00pm an 89 year old man inside Mechanics Bank reported that two men in a nearby vehicle were forcing him to cash an $800 check to pay for car repairs. Police contacted two men (Peter EVANS, 41 and Donny JOHN, 35) nearby in a vehicle and investigated.

It was determined that EVANS and JOHN were approaching people in parking lots and offering to do car repairs for them when they began following the victim. When the victim parked at his home, they approached him and said he had run over something, was leaking brake fluid and needed immediate repair. After they pressured him, the victim agreed to let them repair the brakes.

As the men worked, they increased the cost of parts and other costs for the repair up to $800. They refused to take a check and followed him to the bank to get the $800 in cash. Tools, documents in the suspect vehicle, and statements confirmed that these suspects were driving around and soliciting people to repair their vehicles, driveways, or roofs prior to being stopped in Albany.

Albany Police arrested EVANS and JOHN for elder financial abuse and had the victim’s vehicle mechanically inspected. There had been no repair to the brakes, but brake fluid had been squirted on the tire and wheel well to simulate a dangerous leak.

EVANS and JOHN were charged with 368(D) PC-Financial Elder Abuse, 459 PC-Burglary, and 532(A) PC-Obtain Money under False Pretenses. Both suspects have been released on bail and are scheduled to be arraigned July 9th.

This case is a good example of the predatory practices used by people who seek out older citizens for car and home repair scams. If you are ever approached for a car or home repair, BEWARE - Most Legitimate licensed contractors and repair shops DO NOT generate business this way.

If you find yourself in a situation where you think you are being scammed, or are afraid in your dealings with a repair person, ask for help or call the Police. 

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