Crime & Safety

Prosecutor: Wall Man Stole $271,000

Wall man stole $271,000 from auto restoration customers, Prosecutor's Office says

A township man was arrested Thursday and charged with stealing more than $271,000 from customers of his various auto restoration businesses, authorities said.

Victor A. Decker, 43, of Warren Avenue, was arrested and charged with second degree Theft by Deception.  The charge carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence, if convicted, according to a release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The arrest stems from an investigation into Decker’s several auto restoration businesses in Monmouth County by the Prosecutor’s Office and the State Police, the release says.

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Decker was paid by at least 24 customers to restore classic and antique autos, but never completed his contracted work and in many cases, Decker stripped, damaged and sometimes destroyed the autos, the release says.

Many cars were never returned to their owners and their location is a mystery, the release says.

Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Decker operated auto restoration businesses under the several names and locations in Monmouth County. They include:

  • 1st Class Auto Restoration of Freehold
  • First Class Auto Restoration of Asbury Park
  • Perfect Touch Auto Restoration of Asbury Park, Freehold and Wall.

Decker was taken to Monmouth County Jail, Freehold Township, on $150,000 bail, set by Judge Richard W English, the release says.

Decker is also charged with three counts of failure to pay fines out of Belmar and Wall, a contempt of court charge out of Belmar and a bad check charge out of Columbus, Ohio, according to jail records. His total bail on all charges is $155,897.

If anyone has information pertaining to this investigation, contact Detective Edward Finlay of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 431-7160 ext. 5838 or Trooper Michael Hughes at (609) 296-3132.


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