Santa Rosa classic car mechanic stole from ‘at least’ 22 victims: D.A.

(KRON) — A Santa Rosa man has been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison for stealing over $350,000 from customers of his classic car restoration business, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Suede Lee Barganski, 57, defrauded “at least 22 individuals” during the 10 years he operated RadRods of Norcal, Inc., according to the D.A.’s office. Many of his victims were elderly, and some have since passed away.

Barganski was well-known in the area as one of the few specialists in vintage car restoration. However, many victims reported waiting months or even years before realizing that no work had been done on their vehicles, despite having already paid. On at least two occasions, Barganski forged vehicle titles and sold the cars to unsuspecting buyers, said the D.A.’s office.

“Many victims found their cars abandoned in a field south of Santa Rosa, in various states of disrepair with parts missing or stuffed inside the passenger compartments,” said District Attorney Carla Rodriguez. Before a 2022 preliminary hearing, Barganski fled to Idaho, where he allegedly committed similar crimes. He was arrested in Texas in October 2022 and brought back to Sonoma County to face charges.

Barganski pled to six felony charges with an out-on-bail enhancement, Rodriguez said. “Mr. Barganski took advantage of his trusting customers for more than a decade and needed to be held accountable. Once he completes his sentence, we will ensure he pays full restitution to all Sonoma County victims.”

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