New York Auto Shop Holds Jeep Wrangler Hostage After $13K in Upgrades
One man really wants his Jeep Wrangler back. However, an auto shop in New York is refusing to return the SUV. This is after he paid $13,000 for custom upgrades. The shop is holding the vehicle hostage and demanding an extra $7,000.
New York auto shop holds Jeep Wrangler hostage
This isn’t a normal Jeep thing that you wouldn’t understand. This is illegal. A man named Paul DeRose is desperate to get his Jeep Wrangler back from a New York auto shop.
He took the 2013 Wrangler to Mad Dog Service Port of Chester, New York, and paid about $13,000 for custom upgrades. He wanted to modernize the SUV a bit.
The vehicle was left at the shop in January, 2025. It was supposed to receive suspension upgrades, new wheels, tires, lights, and other accessories.
Then the shop ghosted the driver. Derose tried to contact them for months but couldn’t get them to answer the phone or communicate with him.
In September, DeRose showed up at the shop with a tow truck to take his SUV back. But the shop refused to release it, demanding another $7,000 on top of what he already paid.
According to The Sun, he contacted the police, claiming the shop still has his Jeep. DeRose claims he never approved of the additional work that was performed.
However, he’s still struggling without his off-roader. He has filed a lawsuit against the shop. It demands the immediate return of his 2013 Wrangler, compensation and restitution, plus punitive damages.
Ultimately, DeRose accuses the shop of breach of contract and fraud. Also, this isn’t an isolated incident. The suit lists four other similar incidents.
