CAR REPAIRMAN FACES FRAUD CHARGES.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - The owner of a Lancaster transmission-repair shop has been accused of recommending unnecessary repairs to vehicles brought in by undercover investigators.

Charged with fraud and grand theft, Ralph Melero, the owner of HP Transmission Center in Lancaster, said he has done nothing wrong.

``They tried to set me up,'' Melero said Tuesday. ``It was a sting operation. No one can be prepared for that. I'll still keep taking care of my customers the best I can.''

State Bureau of Automotive Repair officials said they began investigating Melero's shop after receiving complaints from car owners beginning last summer that he recommended repairs that weren't necessary.

Bureau officials said they set up a formal meeting with Melero late last year to discuss the complaints, but more complaints came in after the meeting.

Undercover investigators then brought Melero a vehicle whose transmission had just been rebuilt but had a minor problem. They said Melero told the undercover investigator that the transmission was destroyed and had to be rebuilt at a cost of about $1,600.

``As part of our process, (the transmissions) are rebuilt and internally marked,'' said bureau representative Joel Bilotta. ``We'll also build in a flaw like something leaking or a small flaw that would cost about $100 to fix. If the shop does their work properly, that's all it should take to repair the problem. That wasn't the case here.''

A second undercover investigator then brought in a different vehicle with a recently rebuilt transmission and another minor problem, Bilotta said. Melero also said that transmission needed to be rebuilt, Bilotta said.

The charges were filed Friday against Melero, who surrendered that day and was released on his written promise to appear in court.

Melero returned to open his shop on Saturday and says he has no plans of closing down.

The charges are based on evidence including information from two customers who decided to get second opinions and were told Melero had recommended work that did not need to be done, Bilotta said.

Melero is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 5 in Lancaster Superior Court on two counts of grand theft and 11 counts of automotive repair fraud. If convicted, he could face up to nine years in prison, although officials said a sentence that long is unlikely.

Bilotta said car owners should be wary in choosing repair shops.

``There are some really good transmission shops in town,'' Bilotta said. ``The majority of the shops are doing what they should be, but you still have to be careful. Always be careful about taking the cheapest quote because generally you get what you pay for. Get a second opinion and document what the two shops tell you.''