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VOL. 3 ISSUE 3 MAY 2012
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Major ‘Chop Shop’ Busted in Jackson, MS, Owner Arrested, $500K in Nissan Parts Found
Gunder’s Receives Settlement Payments from Three Insurers, Files Suit Against Travelers
Police have uncovered a huge cache of parts stolen from a nearby Nissan plant, and from other sources, at a Jackson auto body business. Following tips from residents, officers raided Precious Automotive Auto Body Restoration, on Gault Street, just off
Gunder’s Auto Center of Lakeland, Fla., has received settlement payments from State Farm, 21st Century and Security National for processes and materials Gunder’s says they previously refused to pay. On behalf of and at the request of his customers, owner Ray Gunder filed legal complaints against 21st Century and Security National. Last week, Gunder’s received notice that both had agreed to pay charges for previously denied items including paint and materials, parts return fees, and miscellaneous processes and procedures necessary to perform proper repairs. They also agreed to pay all legal costs and attorney’s fees, which amounted to $3,314 and $1,690 , respectively. In the week of April 15, Gunder’s received a settlement payment of $346 from State Farm after the shop filed a Civil Remedy Notice. The insurer elected to settle rather than go
Some of the $500,000 in Nissan-coded Parts found at the Jackson, MS, body shop
Highway 80 in Jackson, on April 18. Authorities said a majority of the merchandise came from the Nissan Plant in Canton. Crates full of Nissan parts and components were stored inside the building. They include catalytic converters,
airbags, wire harnesses, batteries and headlight assemblies. Several stolen vehicles were also recovered. J.P.D. detectives arrested the building owner, 48-year old Eric Brown. He is charged with operating a chop shop, auto theft, receiving and possession of stolen property and marijuana possession. “Detectives including officers arrived on scene and noticed approximately half a million dollars worth of merchandise that was from the Nissan production center,” said J.P.D. Officer Colendula Green. “We did surveillance on the property, came back out here today, did a chop shop inspection and from that inspection it revealed that there was items out here taken from different areas. Most items we discovered came from the Nissan plant,” said Sgt. L.C. Russell with the Auto Theft Division. “Nissan has been made aware that See Stolen Nissan Parts, Page 7
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before a judge and jury for previously denied processes and materials. In the same week, a second lawsuit was filed against Travelers for non-payment of a parts return fee resulting from the acquisition and return of what Gunder’s claims were “ill-fitting” aftermarket parts—a fee that Gunder says “most, if not all other carriers, now pay.” “The more we do, the faster they seem to settle,” says Gunder. “The best thing is that more and more insurers and claims people are paying what is fair and reasonable to avoid being sued. The need for legal action is decreasing as more insurers pay what is fair and reasonable. “We have a reputation for quality work, and I hear on a regular basis now, ‘I’m told to pay Gunder’s what you ask for because we know you’re going to do it… and actually Ray, we would pay other shops in your area See Gunder’s Lawsuits, Page 10
Alabama Led Nation In Severe Tornados in 2011, This Year it’s Florida By May 10, 2011 over 150 tornadoes were reported in Alabama and over 130 reported in Mississippi, both states lead the nation in reported/confirmed tornadoes so far this year. As of last year Alabama tops the list for the most EF-5 tornadoes in the nation, since 1950. Before that, Alabama had been tied with Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Kansas with six EF-5 tornadoes. This year Florida is the nation’s No. 1 state for frequency of tornadoes, according to a ranking by The Weather Channel. Kansas ranks No. 2. The storms hit a maximum-security prison outside of Huntsville, Ala., blowing down roughly 1,000 feet of fence around the prison and causing damage to the roof of two dormitories. Prison officials reported that the
prison, which houses roughly 2,100 inmates was secure and no inmates escaped. In Harvest, Ala., James and Judy Harvest lost their home to apparent tornadoes for the second time in less than a year. “I just think having to go through everything again,” Judy Harvest said. Florida has the unenviable lead in the number of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles between 1991 and 2010. Take into account intensity and the length and width of a twister’s path and Florida falls out of the Top 10. The list is meant to raise awareness about the tornado threat as parts of the nation reel from a rash of tornadoes that have been coming at three See Severe Tornados, Page 8
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