Cops: TN mechanic disabled parked cars for repairs

[October 31, 2009]  JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee police said a mechanic was drumming up business by tampering with parked cars, then charging to help start them. Police arrested 41-year-old Christopher Walls of Johnson City on Thursday night.

Investigators said Walls disabled cars parked at restaurants, waited for the owners to try to start them and then offered his services as a mechanic. Police said Walls charged between $40 and $200 to get the vehicles running again.

He's charged with two counts of theft under $500, but police suspect there are other victims. They're urging anyone else who thinks they were scammed to call them.

Walls was held at the Washington County Jail where a jailer said there was no record of him yet having an attorney.

[Associated Press]

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