By Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 19, 2010
KENNETH CITY — The couple thought they had spotted a great deal when they saw an ad for a used truck in July.
It was a 2007 Chevy with 71,000 miles on it.
So they drove from Georgia to Star Auto Sales, at 5689 54th Ave. N, and handed over $14,310 to Charles and Lea Schnur.
A short time later, they got their ownership documents in the mail. But there was a problem.
According to the title, the vehicle actually had 221,565 miles on it — more than three times than what was reflected on the odometer.
The couple made a complaint to police, who arrested 43-year-old Charels Schnur and 45-year-old Lea Schnur Wednesday morning.
Tampering with an odometer is a third-degree felony punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.
Police say the Schnurs switched out the truck's original odometer for one that reflected a lower mileage. They'd bought the truck at a local auction about a month earlier.
"He admitted to me he's done it three times in the last 10 years," said Kenneth City Police Corporal John Esposito, who investigated the case.
Esposito said authorities believe there may be other victims, and ask that anyone with tips call police at 727-498-8941.
He said the Georgia couple is considering filing a civil lawsuit to recoup the money they lost on the deal. He said the actual value of the truck is likely at least $4,000 less than what they paid for it.