Auto repair shop owner pleads guilty to fraud and identity theft

Posted to: Crime News Norfolk

By Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 15, 2008

The owner of a chain of auto repair shops pleaded guilty this morning in federal court to a series of frauds, including stealing identities of customers, totaling more than $500,000.

Charles E. Perry Jr., 45, of Suffolk, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. He faces a minimum of two years in prison and a maximum of 20 years when he is sentenced in July.

Perry, owner of All Tune & Lube auto repair shops in Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Hampton, admitted stealing customers’ credit card numbers for his own financial gain as well as performing deceptive repair work. In one example, Perry billed a customer for a new replacement engine but instead installed an engine from a junkyard that did not work properly.

No Suprise, they ALL do it

Submitted by edmundod11496 on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 8:17 pm.

Guess what, EVERY SINGLE ONE of the big dealerships also do this on occasion. Then if you catch them, they play it off as the service you paid for being "over looked". This area is ripe for crooks. Before going to get your car serviced, mark your oil filter, or brake pads with a crayon, then ask them to repair or replace, AND ASK FOR THE OLD PARTS. Beware of the "customer service" smile, you will be SURPRISED...

Wow

Submitted by ronniew92627 on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 7:23 pm.

They finally got these guys! These shop were doing this for awhile(years). I bet he gets probation!

and you wonder why

Submitted by Willy Brown on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 6:48 pm.

you can't trust these rip off wrench turners...

Not one repair shop

Submitted by georges61555 on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 4:40 pm.

Not a single auto repair shop do I trust, and I don't care who ownes it.

VA State Inspection Program

Submitted by Chesapeake on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 4:38 pm.

I wonder if his shops performed VA state vehicle "safety" inspections? Did I say safety...I meant State run partnership with the auto repair industry so hide taxes and sell unnecessary repair work.

Imagine That!

Submitted by carole59449 on Tue, 04/15/2008 at 3:58 pm.

A dishonest auto repair man! This story just reinforces my opinion of auto repair shops. If you don't have someone with auto repair knowledge to watch your back, a shop will cheat you every time. I keep a handy vocabulary of cuss words for my dealings with these shops. Wonder what the inmates will do to him if he has to serve time? Maybe that's why he copped a plea.