Belleair man charged with grand theft
Article published on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Steven Lee Humphries, 46, of Belleair was charged with three counts of grand theft in excess of $100,000 on Feb. 15.
According to a press release from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Humphries was arrested after a year-long investigation. He turned himself in to authorities at his attorney’s office.
David Vanniel, 42, of Dunedin was arrested previously in the case and other arrests are forthcoming.
Humphries owns S&M Truck World in Clearwater, which installs aftermarket items, such as bedliners, tool boxes and ladder racks on fleet vehicles purchased from local dealers.
Detectives said over a period of six years, Humphries benefited financially by billing the auto dealers for after-market items or installations that were not ordered or received by the dealers.
The dealers were Walker Ford, AutoWay and Crown Ford. The over-billings primarily involved extra "add-on" equipment orders for fleet vehicles.
Detectives said Humphries shared a percentage of the fraudulent sales with other persons, who already have been or will be arrested. In all, detectives estimate the proceeds from the fraudulent billings will exceed $1 million over the six year period.
The investigation continues.
|
Article published on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
