Denver Mechanic Accused Of Stealing Cars From Customers
DENVER (CBS4) - A former NFL player working as a mechanic in Denver is now in jail after Denver police raided his garage.
Shawn Miles, also known as Ostell Shawn Miles, is accused of stealing the cars he was hired to fix.
Several weeks ago some angry customers contacted 4 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Jodi Brooks about 24 Hour Automotive Group, located near the intersection of Broadway and Exposition.
Almost a month ago Ben Capaci had his car towed to the garage for a $750 clutch repair. After that he says the shop wouldn't return his calls.
"I feel like they're holding my car hostage," he said after he contacted Brooks. "They won't do the work to it, and they refuse to give it back."
At about the same time, Karla Shoeboot also said she was at odds with 24 Hour Automotive Group.
"My husband, his work truck needed some brakes," Shoeboot said.
The 5 hour job stretched for eight days. After Shoeboot's husband finally got his box truck back he was driving on Interstate 70 and the entire rear axle assembly with the wheels detached from the truck.
"The truck almost flipped over, and he was almost killed," Shoeboot said.
Tamra Olson is identified by the state as the owner and Miles calls himself the manager. When a CBS4 crew went to interview Miles at 24 Hour Automotive Group recently he insisted that the news camera be turned off, but he agreed to repair Capaci's car, which was still in his lot.
Capaci said the repair happened, but the vehicle now has a check engine light on.
Miles also agreed to refund Shoeboot $500, but the check signed by Olson bounced.
Brooks spoke briefly on camera with Olson, who was somewhat hesitant to show her face. She said despite the fact that she was the owner, Miles called all the shots.
She told Brooks the activity at the auto show "definitely" felt questionable.
"How many victims do you think there were?" Brooks asked Olson.
"Oh, I don't know. I didn't even care to ask," Olson said.
"Twenty? Thirty? Forty? Fifty?" Brooks asked.
"I don't know," Olson responded.
Police arrested Miles Thursday and he is being held on charges of parole violations and work performed without a license, but he's also under investigation for allegations of auto theft and theft.
Denver's district attorney is investigating the case. So far it's not clear how many victims there are.
Denver police said they were called to the shop 32 times since last May for requests for service from people who appeared to be customers.
On Thursday the garage was cleared out of cars.
Consumer who need to file a complaint against 24 Hour Automotive Group, should contact the Denver District Attorney's office at denverda.org.
Miles played for the Cincinnati Bengals for two seasons in the early 1990s.
RELATED: More Reports By 4 On Your Side Consumer Investigator Jodi Brooks
