WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — The owner of a Warner Robins shop now is charged with stealing thousands of dollars from customers, but not all of them are satisfied.
Many say their experience with Houston Automotive and Transmission have a common theme -- thousands of dollars given to Logan Simmons and no repairs, but jail reports show six theft by conversion charges happening between June 2021 and August of this year.
Daniel VonLanken's story is no different.
"Just got one lie after another, but finally the truck was took in, put up on a lift, transmission took out, but that's where it sat for two months -- up on a lift," he said.
VonLanken says when he dropped off his Ford truck, Simmons asked for a cash payment of $3,000 and said the work could be done in a few days. Instead, he says he waited for months and got a truck in worse condition than when he dropped it off.
"I noticed that they spray-painted the junk transmission they put in it to make me think that they put a new rebuilt one in," he explained.
Now, two customers said they've gotten refunds and their cars were returned.
Jared Koepp says that happened only he signed a document saying the shop was not liable for any problems. Warner Robins police got involved after getting more than 14 complaints.
"Whenever you establish a pattern, more or less of taking money for a service and taking the vehicle and you never complete the service and you keep the vehicle, that's when it becomes a criminal matter," Sergeant Justin Clark said.
VonLanken says he's still hoping the Simmonses make things right.
"Logan, please call me and tell me the date you'll fix my truck,” he said.
Logan Simmons was arrested last week on five counts of theft by conversion. He's free on $18,000 bond. Sergeant Clark says the case will now go to the Houston County superior court. We reached out to the auto shop, owners Ronnie and Logan Simmons did not return our calls.