Torpey
NEW WINDSOR – A local tow truck and auto body shop owner was arrested by New Windsor Police on 12 counts for allegedly claiming possession of a Porsche that belonged to a customer who had died.
Police arrested Patrick Torpey, 53, owner of 20th Century Towing and 21st Century Auto Body on Union Avenue in New Windsor and charged him with one count each of grand larceny, criminal possession of a forged instrument and perjury, five counts of falsifying business records and four counts of offering a false instrument for filing.
Torpey allegedly had a customer’s 1978 Porsche 911 at his business
for repairs in 2012 when the owner unexpectedly died.
In the weeks that followed, Torpey filed a state DMV garageman’s lien on the car, requiring him to complete the documents for filing. That generated a new title of ownership for Torpey. At the same time, police said the owner’s wife, as administrator of her husband’s estate, was looking for the vehicle.
It was not until last summer that the car’s whereabouts were rediscovered and Torpey’s fraudulent activity was revealed. Following his arrest on Tuesday morning, he was arraigned with bail set at $2,500. He was released after posting the bail.
The Porsche was recovered from a garage at Torpey’s residence.
Assisting in the investigation was the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office and State Department of Motor Vehicles.
