auto work

we had an accident labor day, weekend, and since then (it wasnt our fault) we have gotten the estimated money to fix the truck. we took it to an individule who was refered to us, he was given 2k for parts up front, since then he has given us many dates to pick up the truck, and then he never shows or hides in his house, and he keeps telling us and the police that the truck is at his "buddys" shop, well we investigated his so called buddys shop and he gladly let us look around and signed a statement the truck was never there, so we went to the police again, the talked to this guy and he changes his story the trucks is now next door to his buddys shop, we go and look the entires place over.. no truck, we then go to the sheriffs office and they get him via phone to admitt the truck is in his garage and we can get it tonight, we have an officer escort us to get it and we have to have it towed because it is taken apart and undrivable at this point. there was many lies to the police and us , and even after getting the truck lies continue about the parts, he was supose to have parts when we picked the truck up, (this is all in a poilce report also)then it was," ill bring them to you tomorrow" , then it was the next day and so on, lie after lie, so now we are without parts and or our 2k, to me this seems like, he stole our money, he admitted to the sheriffs that we did give him the 2k. there are poilice reports and many "text messages" stating all kinds of lies where do we go from here? and what kind of charges can we file and it seems like there can be many charges filed? what are our chances of recovering our money.. my husband is layed off and we cant cough up more money to get this truck fixed, so we are paying monthly payments on a truck sitting in parts in our drive.. thank you anxiously waiting your reply

Talk to your police folks. Ask them what you can do to put this guy away. There is frankly little you can do to get your money back if he chooses NOT to give it... but you do need to take him to small claims court and do it asap. Get the police reports and see if they will testify. If this guy has any assets you can go after them. Small claims will give you the ability to do that... but little can be done if he hides his assets and has no income other than money he scams from people like you. You need to find out. So take him to court and let the judge help you do the basic information gathering... if he comes to court. But I wouldn't be surprised if he has nothing to file against.

isnt what this guy did criminal? he told the police he had the parts and we were to get them when we got the truck, then he said he would bring them over , well its been 3 days and no parts.. i see it as he stole my 2k. he had our truck for 6 weeks, and not one part was bought.. that shows he had intent to steel our money dont it? he lied and lied to many police officers involved in this situation. im thinking civil charges such as small claims, and criminal charges, for theft... we are seeking legall help and filing a small claims tomorrow..

You need to put it into writing that you want your money back. Deliver it to him and ask when you can expect it. If he doesn't give you a date, take him to small claims court so the judge can give him a date or tell you how to proceed against any assets he may have.

As for whether he did something illegal, there are plenty of towns that would put a mechanic/ body specialist in jail for what he did, but will that get you your money? Yes, if he continues this he should be charged... eventually. You have a statute of limitations to guide you. The judge can tell you or you can look it up in your state statutes.

Either you want your money back or you want to swear out a complaint against him. If he tells the judge he has no way to repay you, then do the complaint.

Jill, please check your private message feature on this site. I believe you will find there the LEGALLY accurate answers you are seeking.

thank you gentlegrace, we have seeked an attorney for this matter.. seems to be pretty much open and shut book, the hard work will be collecting whats owed!