Springfield auto shop owners who allegedly took money for repairs and didn't deliver are now facing felony charges from the Attorney General's office.
Queen City Rod & Custom has been under fire from customers who say the shop charged them for repairs and then returned cars with poor workmanship or in a worse condition than before.
Hillary Deckard and Reed Arnold, who owned and operated Queen City Rod & Custom, face 18 felony charges each, including nine counts of deceptive business practice, seven counts of stealing $750 or more and two counts of financial exploitation of an elder or disabled person.
In the court documents filed, attorney general's office investigator Garrett Bentlage alleges that nine consumers reported a loss of $62,485.20 after hiring the company "to provide services that were never performed as promised" from October 2021 to September 2023. Bentlage also says that none of the consumers received refunds in the amounts they paid.
The probable cause statement says that Deckard deposited consumer funds into Bank of America accounts, but that records show money deposited into the accounts "were not used as stated to consumers."
“As Attorney General, I will enforce the laws as written and defend Missourians from being ripped off,” Attorney General Andrew Bailey said in a press release. “My Consumer Protection Unit thoroughly investigates complaints of fraud and takes swift action whenever we find enough evidence to move forward. Our aim is not only to hold bad actors accountable, but to deliver full restitution to all affected.”
On July 25, arrest warrants were issued for both Deckard and Arnold. Arnold's bond is set at $60,000 and Deckard's at $25,000. Conditions of the bond order Deckard and Arnold to appear at all court dates, not commit any crimes, bar them from accepting any money up front from consumers as down payments for future mechanical work and not have contact with any of the state's nine witnesses.
Four consumers have also filed civil cases against Queen City Rod & Custom, all of which have resulted in judgements for the consumers in varying amounts.
More: Customers say this Springfield auto shop took cars, money and provided only headaches
In 2023, the AG's office obtained a conviction in a case where a Springfield contractor "accepted large advance payments for home renovations or repair projects and either provided minimal supplies or partial work." The contractor received a four-year prison sentence as well as five years probation.
The News-Leader filed a Sunshine Request in June 2023 for consumer complaints regarding Queen City Rod & Custom. Due to the existing backlog of requests , the attorney general's office informed the News-Leader in January that the earliest the records would be available is June 5, 2024. There have been no further updates on the information.
Susan Szuch reports on health and food for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Attorney general's office charges Springfield auto shop owners with 18 felonies
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