Customers have been trying to get their computers repaired in North Georgia. But when they couldn't get the shop owner on the phone people got suspicious.
Now police are investigating claims of missing money, bogus repairs, and a repairman on the run.
“They were trying to contact the business owner,” said Ringgold Police Detective Patrick Mason. “He wouldn't return phone calls. He wouldn't be at the business.”
Officers raided Fast Fix Computers on U.S. Highway 41 where they seized hundreds of computers and hardware. After opening a full investigation, Ringgold Police learned 41-year-old Greg Ratliff owned the shop. And they say he was involved in bad business deals.
“He was taking people's money and either not performing the service or swapping the parts in their computer out for older parts,” said Mason.
David Frye says he was deceived by the dealer.
“I thought he was a straight shooter,” said Frye.
Frye recommended Ratliff to his parents who shelled out thousands of dollars for a make-shift computer.
“He told my mother that he had to be paid in full, upfront,” said Frye.
The family paid for the computer last Christmas. But they never got it.
“I recommended my mother go deal with him. I wish I hadn't now,” said Frye.
At the business, the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office has posted a no-entry-notice. But investigators believe the business owner probably won't be here anytime soon. That's because he's skipped town.
“We do have active warrants on him. And we're currently looking for him,” said Detective Mason.
Detectives say Ratliff is most likely in North Carolina with family. He faces theft-by deception and theft-by-conversion charges.
