SLPD Arrest Fremont Man Suspected of Conducting Auto Repair Scam at Washington Plaza

A Fremont man was arrested Wednesday by a San Leandro Police Department bicycle patrol officer after he was suspected on conducting a auto repair scam, according to the Contra Costa Time.

The suspect was conducting the ongoing scam at the Washington Plaza parking lot where he would remove bolts from motorists' transmissions and then show up in the area to repair their vehicles, The Contra Costa Times reports.

In the past few months, several Toyota and Scion owners have returned to their cars in the 1400 block of Washington Avenue and would find their cars stuck in park, SLPD told The Contra Costa Times. Shortly after, a man in his 50s would appear in a mechanic's jumpsuit and offer to fix the problem right in front of them for about $75, The Contra Costa Times reports. He claimed he was saving the motorists towing fees and other repairs that could end up being costly.

The repairs were simple, police said, and involved the installation of one bolt in the transmission, which the mechanic had with him each time.

SLPD officer, Brian Buss, began looking for a man matching the description of the "mechanic" frequenting Washington Plaza in February, The Contra Costa Times reports.

At 10:25 a.m. Wednesday, Buss saw a 54-year-old man matching the suspect's description loitering near the Washington Plaza CVS store, The Contra Costa Times reports.

To read the complete Contra Costa Times article, click here.