Souther Auto Repair Shop
Ripoff left keys in truck overnight and it was stolen and will not accept responsibility

We took our truck in to the shop because it had trouble starting early on Wednesday April 12 later around 730 pm we called to see what was going on with the truck.
An employee of the shop had stated that they were putting the truck back together and it would be ready the next day at 10 am.

So at 930 am on Thursday they call to inform us the vehicle had been stolen, we go there to find out what happen and file a police report. The business states on the police report that they hadn't even started repairing it, and one of the employees was instructed to "Go get the keys out of the ford in back" the officer said.

There happened to be two fords out there one being our truck, the other being a van, and the employee grabbed keys from the van and not the truck.

Common sense says that when there are two fords out there and they had not been specific to check both for keys or all vehicles that are there to be repaired.
They also continued to say that this had happened before, if thats the case i would be especially carefull to check all remaining vehicles for keys or unlocked doors.

So im at work and have a friend call to get there information to speak to their insurance agency, regarding this issue, since we believe they are responsible and negligent.

We ask for the insurance company's name, owner name, and business license #, they produce both but the third they did not, instead they gave a Supplemental Certification #. I called the insurance company wich was American Family and spoke to a Rhonda which advised me to call back and ask for a policy #, because she could not find insurance on the business.

But did state he had like personal insurance there. So i call back to the business and ask to speak to the owner who gets on the phone and then i ask for the policy # as Rhonda instructed. He instead puts his wife on the phone who tells me exactly that "We stole our own truck" and to "F OFF". Professional huh.

Mind you, our trucks insurance ran out in January, seeing as the truck wasn't running properly and we had another vehicle, we did not re-instate it not knowing the problem with the truck. So therefore we wouldnt have gotten anything by stealing our own truck, but sleepless nights not knowing if our address was on mail or what important documents there might have been in it.

And further more, we had construction tools in the back probably worth more than the truck, that we had to save three months just to buy. I went up to our local police station after the incident on the phone, and asked to speak with a Sargent, who i was told, does not get involved in cases like these.

I understand its a civil matter, but there should be someone who would investigate this business, and to see if they even carry insurance or have a valid business license. I was instructed to call the Secretary of State police, which i will tommorow, and also the BBB, but after reading this site may find it will do no good.

Hopefully these rude and irresponsible shop owners will be held accountable for there actions, or at least become more cautious and courteous.

Company: Souther Auto Repair Shop
Country: USA
State: Illinois
City: Decatur
Address: 1070 East Pearl Street
Phone: 2174751717

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