Monroeville, Pennsylvania (KDKA) — Two Monroeville auto dealership mechanics have been charged with damaging someone’s brake pads while inspecting a vehicle, state police said.
State police said the car’s owner sensed something was wrong when he was told in June that he had failed an inspection due to brake pad separation on the No. 1 Cochran Hyundai in Monroeville.
“Our victims were a little upset by this because they knew their car so well. So they re-evaluated their car. At that time, the second mechanic said that your car was fine and should pass without problems. “The victim returned to Cochran No. 1 to undergo another inspection, at which point the second set of brake pads separated again,” Constable Rocco Gagliardi said.
Gagliardi told KDKA-TV that the victim called their vehicle fraud department and determined that a flat-blade screwdriver had been placed between the brake pads, causing the separation.
“Both mechanics said they had their own screwdrivers in there, and one of them even used a hammer to smash the brake pads to make room,” he said.
The accused mechanics are Aaron Yeager, 31, and Jacob Czarkowski, 20. They were subpoenaed for criminal hooliganism and illegal activities.
According to Gagliardi, the couple told investigators that everything they did was voluntary. The seller was not mentioned.
“Firstly, Cochran No. 1 was not mentioned as a company. Secondly, the facts in the press release regarding the two team members mentioned were not accurate, the truth will come out. Multiple service personnel checked the brake pads, everyone agrees that they check fails. We estimate that no one at Cochran #1 forcibly separates pads or damages pads in any way. We don’t do business that way. We’re not like that. Techniques don’t do any good.”
“If anyone in the public has concerns or questions about the same auto repair shop and calls us, we can reopen it and start a new business, or perhaps continue investigating the dealership itself,” Gagliardi said.
“Explore your car, get to know your mechanic, and try to maintain close friendships,” he says. “If something doesn’t feel right, that’s why we’re here to investigate,” he said.
If you believe this has happened to you, call PSP Pittsburgh Barracks at 412-299-1607 and ask for a vehicle fraud unit, police said.
Jessica Guai joined KDKA in February 2021 as a reporter. Prior to joining KDKA, Jessica was a morning anchor and reporter for WJAC in Jonestown, Pennsylvania. She is also an anchor and reporter for WCHS in Charleston, West Virginia and WTOV in Steubenville, Ohio.
Post time: Aug-26-2022
