CRANBERRY TWP — Four additional charges were held for court in the case of a township man accused of renting out customers’ cars instead of repairing them.

In preliminary hearings Friday, June 16, District Judge Kevin Flaherty heard three additional cases against Keith R. Smith, 66.

Two felony charges of theft by deception as well as misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and deceptive business practices were held for court in the hearing.

Smith operates Oilology, a repair business in the township through which he allegedly has been renting out customers’ cars for as much as $300 a month. More than 10 of his customers’ vehicles are involved in the six cases that Cranberry Township and state police have brought against Smith.

In Friday’s hearing, Kristen Temple said Smith had replaced her 2014 Dodge Avenger’s engine with a salvaged engine in 2021. In October 2022, she brought the vehicle in for emissions concerns as well new tires and alignment.

According to Temple, the car was in Smith’s possession for two months.

CRANBERRY TWP — Four additional charges were held for court in the case of a township man accused of renting out customers’ cars instead of repairing them.

In preliminary hearings Friday, June 16, District Judge Kevin Flaherty heard three additional cases against Keith R. Smith, 66.

Two felony charges of theft by deception as well as misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and deceptive business practices were held for court in the hearing.

Smith operates Oilology, a repair business in the township through which he allegedly has been renting out customers’ cars for as much as $300 a month. More than 10 of his customers’ vehicles are involved in the six cases that Cranberry Township and state police have brought against Smith.

In Friday’s hearing, Kristen Temple said Smith had replaced her 2014 Dodge Avenger’s engine with a salvaged engine in 2021. In October 2022, she brought the vehicle in for emissions concerns as well new tires and alignment.

According to Temple, the car was in Smith’s possession for two months.

“I got bills in the mail from the Pennsylvania Turnpike for tolls that were racked up while the vehicle was with him,” Temple said.

Officer Robin Winters, of Cranberry Township Police Department, said toll data recorded the vehicle on various days at 12:26 a.m., 9:32 a.m., 1:06 a.m. and 4:05 a.m.

After two months, Temple said she paid to retrieve the vehicle from Smith.

“I wanted to take it to another place to actually get the work done,” she said.

Although Temple said she was reimbursed by Smith for the turnpike fees and some of the cost, she said a $40 car code reader was missing from the car.

Defense attorney Richard Witchko said there is no case against Smith.

“They can’t prove the computer was in the vehicle; he reimbursed her for the turnpike and repairs,” Witchko said. “What case is there?”

Melanie Bossler testified to bringing her 2004 Honda Civic to Smith on Sept. 8, 2022. Bossler brought her vehicle for a brake line replacement and inspection and had previously been a customer of Oilology.

The vehicle was with Smith until Oct. 3, according to Bossler, when repairs and inspection were allegedly completed.

“On the way home, the brakes weren’t working right,” she said. “They’d (the pedal) go all the way to the floor.”

On Oct. 19, Bossler returned the vehicle to Smith for further repairs until Nov. 5.

“I got a bill from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, it showed that it was on and off, I think, four times,” she said.

Bossler also alleged $21 was missing from the vehicle and cigarette ashes were scattered on the floor of the driver’s side.

“Everything that was in my center console was shoved into my glove box,” she said.

In April, Bossler contacted the Cranberry Township police, providing pictures of her odometer and the mileage on her inspection sticker.

Officer Edward Steinmetz estimated the vehicle had been driven 3,523 miles while in Smith’s possession. Additionally, from Oct. 21 to 29 the vehicle’s license plate was recorded throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Derick Montgomery said on June 12, 2022, he was driving his mother’s car through the area when the vehicle began to overheat. He brought the car to Oilology for repairs.

After Smith took a look at the vehicle, Montgomery said he was informed it needed a new housing and had an issue with its thermostat.

Waltine Yandel, the car’s owner and Montgomery’s mother, also agreed to an inspection and the replacement of brakes, rotors and a control arm on July 4.

After retrieving the vehicle, Montgomery said they returned for bodywork a few days later and had to return three to four times over the following months for issues with the housing and thermostat.

In total, Yandel said she paid Smith $1,400 for repairs.

On Oct. 7, the vehicle was left with Smith for the weekend according to Montgomery. Two months later, they received tolls receipts from the turnpike and a fine for an automated work zone speed enforcement violation.

Montgomery said he brought this to Smith’s attention, and Smith paid it “a day or two before the deadline.”

In April, Yandel said she brought the vehicle to Midas in Butler to examine the thermostat, brakes and rotors.

Midas mechanic Thomas Peiffer said while the brakes did appear new, the thermostat did not appear to be changed.

“Even if it was, the gasket was not changed,” Peiffer said.

Additionally, Peiffer said the rotors were warped.

Witchko maintained there is no case against Smith, and that he is entitled to test drive vehicles as needed.

While Flaherty dismissed a charge of receiving stolen property, all others were held for court.

“I don’t think there’s any question the commonwealth has met its burden of proof,” said David Beichner, assistant district attorney.