In Texas, the Galveston County Auto Crime Task Force just delivered a big win for Classic American Street Rods customers. Owner Richard Finley was arrested and charged with the theft of more than $300,000 in property after he allegedly repeatedly changed locations and carried classic cars he was supposed to be wearing. recovery, while dodging phone calls and not informing the customer where he is moving.
At some point, KPRC 2 . report that Finley had failed to pay on time at a storage facility he used to store customers’ cars, which left him locked and meant that his customers had no way of getting back to their car. The Auto Crime Task Force executed a warrant to search the premises, find the cars and arrest Finley. The team is in the process of returning them to their owners.
The news agencies also found that according to court records, customers had previously sued Finley multiple times alleging he mishandled their cars or money. Total, KPRC 2 . report that investigators found 24 classic cars, as well as additional parts, worth about $2 million. Ten of those cars were returned to customers.
One customer, Trae, who only gave his name to KPRC 2, told the news agency he paid Finley about $28,000 to get the job done on his 1972 Chevrolet Camaro. At first, he said he was told it would take 12 weeks, but two years later, the job was still not done.
“I was shocked when they got my car and it was released. The guy is clearly a scammer. I mean, he scammed a lot of people for money, myself included,” Trae told KRPC 2. “Do your homework before you leave your car at a store. You know, make sure you keep all your bills. I kept all of my receipts and hopefully it works for me somehow. I don’t expect my money back at all. I’m glad I got my car back.”
