Five people invested equal shares in the new business, but police say the company president and his wife took money and trucks for themselves.
A Ridgway couple is facing charges after police say they stole from one of their companies to help the other.
We have more on the investigation involving three tractor-trailers and more than a dozen checks.
Police say both the president and secretary of the trucking company were involved in the theft.
The complaint says MCM Trucking president William Mercer Jr., 50, transferred three truck titles into the name of his other business, Mercer Auto & Tire, and then sold two for $125,000 each.
His wife, Kristin Mercer, 31, secretary for both businesses, allegedly was seller on one of those trucks.
The complaint says there are five equal owners in the trucking business, formed in 2011 and headquartered, with the Mercer towing company at the Mercers’ home on Montmorenci Road.
Police say that the four co-owners didn’t authorize the two trucks to be sold to Asel Enterprises.
“That’s kind of a dishonest business practice,” says area resident Dave Gilmore.
“What he did or didn’t do, they’re going to have to find him guilty or innocent. The story isn’t out, but every time the story comes out, you always think of the worst,” says area resident Skip Cherry.
Cherry says he has used the repair shop for work on his car, and is surprised at the allegations. Neighbors say they’ve seen FedEx trucks at the building.
Police say a third Kenworth truck from 2012 is still registered to Mercer Auto & Tire, which was expanding at the time.
The complaint says one co-owner’s signature was forged or pre-signed on 17 MCM Trucking checks to vendors, or Mercer Auto itself, totaling $96,000.
“It’s kind of a low thing to do. I mean, you are the president of the company, you have all these people that work for you, that trust you,” says area resident Chelsea Thorwart.
“I feel there was too much trust given to the wrong people,” says area resident Don Sheasley.
Police say the other investors first came to them nearly three years ago. Both Mercers are awaiting hearings in this case.
