SAN ANTONIO -- Carmen Hernandez has to speak on behalf of her husband Joe when it comes to the status of his beloved 1966 Chevy Impala Super Sport, which he was planning to restore.
Joe is devastated by the reality that the car he's had for nearly 30 years is nowhere to be seen.
"Last year he had his money in the bank and he was finally going to restore it after all this time," Carmen said.
However, Joe made the mistake of taking the bright red Impala to Manny Garcia at Star Automotive and Transmission. In fact, this is the third time Eyewitness Wants to Know has needed to visit Garcia's automotive shop.
The difference this time is that when we go to visit, there's nothing to be found.
"The car, the signs, Manuel Garcia, everything was gone," Carmen said. "And that was the beginning of the nightmare for my husband."
Without notifying any of his customers, including the Hernandez's, Garcia closed up shop.
Lisa Alfaro says Garcia skipped out on paying her rent money. If that wasn't bad enough, Alfaro says Garcia broke into the building, took everything he could and then trashed the place.
The shop's lot is completely empty, not a car in sight.
It's a sight that only stresses the grim reality of the Hernandez's situation - they've done just about everything within their power, including countless phone calls, to find Garcia and their Impala. Now, it's up to the police.
"In this particular situation, the fact they're not getting the phone calls returned, the shop is no longer there, the vehicle's gone, this constitutes a theft," SAPD Officer Matt Porter said.
Carmen says she is pressing theft charges against Garcia unless the Impala returns.
If you need help getting someone or something on the right course, give Eyewitness Wants to Know a call at 377-8647 or via email at EWTK @KENS5.com.
