The owner of a luxury automotive repair shop in Oakland County is accused of taking vehicles for joyrides.
The Action 1 Automotive and Towing shop in Rochester Hills is well-known for luxury car repairs, according to Local 4 reports. The owner -- whose name was not released -- was arrested Thursday for "borrowing" cars for his personal use, the station reported.
Capt. Robert Smith, of the Oakland County Sheriff's Department, said the owner's 18-year-old nephew was spotted by authorities in a luxury car "spinning its tires and being driven in a reckless manner."
The 355 Ferrari TS the teenager was caught driving, along with a classmate as his passenger, was initially brought in to the shop for repairs, Local 4 reported.
Local 4 asked the owner why his nephew was driving the Ferrari. He replied with, "He was delivering it to the shop."
The owner added that the vehicle was being test driven, Local 4 reported. The Ferrari had accumulated an additional 141 miles while in possession of the repair shop, and not by the owner, Local 4 reported.
The Oakland County Automotive Theft Unit had been watching the shop owner for illegal activity, according to the station's reports.
Smith said the owner is running a business and earning money for repairs, but "on the side he's having the use of these luxury cars, which is not part of the deal."
The owner was expected to face a misdemeanor charge, but could be charged with a felony, Local 4 reported.
A family member who tried to move Local 4 cameras from the scene Thursday was also driving a customer's luxury vehicle, the station reported.
