A Great Bend man says he was ripped off by local auto mechanics David Stanley Sr. and David Stanley Jr., who have each been charged with one count of felony theft by deception.
Lawrence McDilda said his cherished 2000 Sebring convertible stopped running last year in Ellinwood, about the same time he met David Stanley Sr. at a bingo game. He hired Stanley, who picked the car up from Ellinwood and brought it to his business, Stanley Automotive in Great Bend.
But McDilda said he spent thousands in car repairs, in cash and trade, before taking the car to another mechanic, who told him parts were missing. McDilda alleges parts were stolen from his car and sold with the knowledge of both Stanleys, and that they misled him by claiming to be ASE certified, a designation available from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, when they were not. He said his loss is around $7,000.
Detective Scott Bieberle from the Great Bend Police Department investigated the case, but declined to comment because it is now in Barton County District Court. The Tribune attempted to reach the Stanleys Tuesday afternoon. Stanley Automotive has a Facebook page that shows the Great Bend business at 4820 10th St. is ASE certified. A call to that number during business hours was answered by a voicemail recording from “David Stanley,” but the call was not returned.
Both Stanleys appeared in Barton County District Court on Monday, where their requests for court appointed attorneys was granted by Magistrate Judge Verle Willey. The criminal complaints filed by the Barton County Attorney’s Office on Oct. 1 allege that David Jr. and David Sr. deprived McDilda of auto parts, miscellaneous jewelry and currency by means of a false statement, and that the crime occurred between March 1, 2012, and Jan. 3, 2013. The loss is listed as greater than $1,000 and less than $25,000, making the alleged crime a level 9 non-person felony. Conviction carries a sentence ranging from five to 13 months, depending on previous criminal history, and under Kansas sentencing guidelines probation is likely. Restitution and other fees may also be called for in case of conviction.
At Monday’s hearing, David Stanley Sr. suggested Judge Wiley appoint the same attorney for the two cases.
“I think it would be better to have one attorney here instead of two,” he said, adding it would save the county money.
Assistant Barton County Attorney Levi Morris disagreed.
“I don’t know that it would lower the overall bill,” Morris said, but it would create an ethical problem for the attorney if their testimonies did not agree.
Judge Wiley appointed Larned attorney Doug Brunson to represent David Stanley Jr. and Great Bend attorney Gail Carpenter to represent David Stanley Sr. Both men’s preliminary hearings were set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7.