Fast cons with fast cars
A customer conned a Manassas auto body shop out of a paint job Monday when the man who ordered the work took the freshly painted car without paying, said Sgt. Marc Woolverton, Manassas Police spokesman.
Employees of the Maaco Auto Body Shop at 9093 Mathis Ave. told police that a man came to the shop Sunday with a 1978 Chevrolet Malibu coupe, asked for some body and paint work and left the car at the shop, Woolverton said Friday.
The car owner returned to the shop Monday to check on the progress of the job, Woolverton said.
Employees at the body shop told him the car, with its new gold striping and green paint, was ready. The man said he would return later to pick up the car, Woolverton said.
Shop managers told police they discovered the vehicle missing from their lot when they closed Monday. No one had paid the $1,300 bill, Woolverton said.
The suspect is described as black, 6 feet tall, in his mid-30s who weighing about 300 pounds. He was clean-shaven with a short haircut, Woolverton said.
The victims told police the man was very polite, Woolverton said.
Police ask that anyone with information call Crime Solvers at (703) 330-0330. Callers do not have to give their names or testify in court and may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information that results in arrest.