A Grover Beach man who pleaded not guilty Wednesday to 24 felony charges stemming from alleged automotive repair theft and consumer fraud agreed to shut down his Arroyo Grande car and boat repair shop.

David Connor, owner of Sonny's Automotive Repair on Traffic Way in Arroyo Grande, was arrested Dec. 13 on suspicion of grand theft and grand theft from an elder after a nine-month state investigation into Connor's business practices.

Connor, 52, posted $20,000 bail and has been free on bond since his arrest.

At the time of his arrest, 17 victims alleged Connor hadn't replaced about $23,000 worth of automotive parts paid for by customers, according to Joel Bilotta, program representative for the Enforcement Division of the state Bureau of Automotive Repair office in Bakersfield.

Bilotta said after Connor's arrest, more victims came forward with allegations of fraud, resulting in additional charges being filed against the longtime business owner.

On Tuesday, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office charged Connor with 15 felony counts of grand theft exceeding $400, one felony count of credit card fraud and one felony count of credit card theft, five felony and three misdemeanor counts of theft from an elder, one felony count of forging or altering documents, one felony count of falsifying records and one misdemeanor count of persuading a minor to break the law.

Connor is accused, in part, of overcharging customers, many of whom were longtime patrons at Sonny's Automotive, and lying about installing new parts in their vehicles or boats.

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Sonny's Automotive has been open since Connor's arrest, but during his arraignment hearing Wednesday morning, he agreed he would close the shop forever and hand over his business license to state investigators.

“This is a permanent dissolution,” said Ilan Funke-Bilu, who's representing Connor and also filed a motion to disqualify Judge Dodie Harman from presiding over the case. “He'll close the business and not take any new customers from this day forward.”

Funke-Bilu said he couldn't comment on why he asked for Harman to be disqualified from hearing the case because it would violate the attorney-client privilege.

Through random selection, Connor's case was assigned to Judge Michael Duffy, who agreed to let Connor have until Jan. 11 to finish repair work on three cars and three boats currently at the shop.

If Connor doesn't finish the work by that date, he must return the vehicles to their owners and reimburse them for the work done.

Sonny's Automotive Repair, near the intersection of Traffic Way and Allen Street next to the Log Cabin Market, specialized in foreign and domestic auto repair as well as boat repair. Connor operated the business for nearly 20 years without a complaint.

It's not known how many employees will lose their jobs with the closure of Connor's business.

April Charlton can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5016, or acharlton@santamariatimes.com.

Dec. 28, 2006