REPAIRMAN ADMITS URGING NEEDLESS WORK.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - The owner of a Lancaster transmission shop has pleaded guilty to felony charges of grand theft for recommending unnecessary repairs and taking money for them.

Ralph Melero, the owner of HP Transmission Center in Lancaster, was the target of a sting operation by state Bureau of Automotive Repair investigators who responded to complaints from customers of the shop, officials said.

``The whole thing went fairly rapidly,'' said Joel Bilotta of the bureau's office in Bakersfield. ``The D.A.'s Office was really responsive in regards to this case, and the shop owner did enter a plea, which expedited the case.''

Melero accepted a plea agreement that called for him to serve 300 hours of structured community service, surrender his auto-repair dealer's license within 60 days, reimburse the bureau $3,200 for charges accrued during the sting and pay $3,667 to two victims who filed complaints. He also is prohibited from owning an auto-repair business again, said Deputy District Attorney David Flank, who handled the case.

Bureau officials said Melero he would have to show rehabilitation before the state attorney general ever might determine that he could file for an auto repair dealer's license again.

Bureau officials said they began receiving complaints in the summer of 2002 about unnecessary repairs at his shop and called Melero in for a formal meeting. They said he assured them there would be no more problems, but complaints continued.

Undercover investigators went to Melero's shop earlier this year and dealt with him directly. They brought in a car with a transmission that had just been rebuilt but had a minor problem that should have cost about $100 to fix. They say that Melero told them the transmission was shot and recommended a full rebuilding.

A second undercover investigator brought in a different vehicle with a recently rebuilt transmission with a minor flaw. This investigator also dealt with Melero, who recommended completely rebuilding the transmission.

Investigators took their case to the District Attorney's Office, and charges were filed against Melero on June 20. Melero surrendered the same day and was released pending trial or a plea agreement.

His formal sentencing is set for Sept. 17.

``It's an unfortunate thing when a shop owner has to leave the trade,'' Bilotta said. ``We do find that most of the businesses seem to want to do the job right.''

Melero was not available for comment.

Officials with the state Bureau of Automotive Repair said certain steps can be taken so customers don't become victims.

Customers should make sure they are dealing with a licensed repair shop they have chosen based on recommendations from friends, family members or co-workers. Customers should know they have the right to receive a written estimate on all repairs.

If there is any concern about recommended work, the customer should get a second opinion. A lower price might not always be better, however, ``because you usually get what you pay for,'' Bilotta said.

Before the work, the customer has the right to ask for the return of all parts, to be sure they actually needed replacing. Make sure an itemized invoice is provided at the completion of the work, including any warranties or guarantees on the work.

Be very wary if asked to pay in advance for the work, because once a customer has paid, the incentive for the shop to perform is over.

Greg Botonis, [phone]

gregory.botonis(at)dailynews.com