EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 29-year-old man is being charged with deceptive business practices and theft of property after he allegedly tried to charge a truck driver nearly three times the original amount for repair work, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.
Johnny Justin Flores, 29, was arrested on Thursday, Sept. 18 and is facing a charge of deceptive business practices and theft of property, with a total bond of $15,000.
On Sept. 18, deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 12800 block of Bales Drive in the Sparks area, regarding a civil dispute involving repair services on a semi-truck.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the suspect, identified as Flores, and the victim, a commercial truck driver traveling through El Paso County.
The investigation revealed that the victim experienced mechanical issues and hired
Flores for repair services valued at approximately $1,200 after locating his business online.
At 5:14 p.m., the victim received an invoice and was pressured to pay by 5:30 p.m. The
victim submitted full payment on time, but Flores refused to release the vehicle, falsely
claiming the payment was late and demanding nearly triple the original amount, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Detectives responded and obtained a search warrant. The semi-truck was recovered, and
two arrest warrants were issued Flores.
Flores was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility, and the semi-truck was returned to its rightful owner, the Sheriff’s Office said.
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