The owner of a Laguna Beach auto repair shop was arrested this week on suspicion of stealing his customers' cars, police said.
James Michael Ross, 59, owner of the Laguna Beach Collision Center, was booked into the Orange County Jail on Friday and is due in court on Monday, records show.
It is not the first time that the owner of the workshop has been accused of stealing cars.
In April, Ross was arrested on charges related to auto theft and embezzlement stemming from six cases, according to the Long Beach Police Department. After a lengthy investigation, detectives discovered that “Ross had stolen numerous vehicles that were brought to him for repair,” they alleged.
He then allegedly drove those vehicles for his personal use and cut off contact with their owners. When the owners were unable to locate Ross or recover his car, they reported him to the police.
On Wednesday, Laguna Beach police received another report of a stolen vehicle from one of Ross' clients, they said. They found the car Thursday and arrested Ross on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle.
He is being held without bail.
No additional details were immediately available.
Police are asking anyone who believes they are a victim to contact investigators at (949) 715-0984. Orange County Crime Stoppers also accepts anonymous tips by calling 855-TIP-OCCS.
