Car Dealer Disappears After Allegedly Ripping Off Consumers

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - A local car dealer selling vehicles through consignment is being accused of ripping off owners and buyers.

Everett Martinez says he was trying to sell a Chrysler 300 and listed his vehicle for sale on Craigslist. He then received an email from someone who wanted help him sell it.

Martinez described the message in the email as follows: "I think your car is worth what it's listed for, however I can reach more people that would want to buy because I'm a dealer and I can offer financing to people."

He was skeptical, but after some research agreed to park his car at the lot of Autohut.

Martinez said the lot looked legitimate.

"It was full, it was double parked all the way around. There was a double row of cars," he said.

Autohut claimed to work on consignment and Martinez signed a one month contract.

"He was supposed to sell the car for $12,500, and out of that he gets $500. I get $12,000."

Days after his contract expired he drove by the lot and said his car was gone.

"It's 10 o'clock at night, it's not there. I figure he's driving it around using it as his personal car."

His car was apparently sold but Martinez didn't get the cash, and yet he still has the title. He's also still paying insurance on the car, saying it's the only way he knows how to protect himself.

Martinez told CBS4 he had difficulty getting either police or the Department of Revenue to help him out.

"If this person crashes the car and kills somebody, they might say 'Oh it's his car,' and I'm going to be the one that's liable," he said.

Martinez says he's recently heard from his insurance company and they say someone there is apparently trying to get tags without the title.

The lot where the cars once stood is now nothing but an empty lot with oil stains and weeds.

James Allbee, a private investigator who Martinez contacted, said there are dozens of victims like Martinez who were swindled by the dealer.

"Last time I checked there was mid-20s and they are anticipating this could reach over 35 (victims)," Allbee said.

Albee turned to social media and set up a Facebook page to try to put buyers and sellers who were victimized in touch. He says he believes one of the owners of the dealership has left the state.

CBS4 was unsuccessful on Tuesday in reaching the Englewood detective assigned to this case. Calls to the owners of Autohut went unreturned.