Not snake oil but car sellers suspect auto oil used in scam

Eric Jaramishian Staff writer

Two Cameron Park residents say they became victims of a car sale scheme and urge the El Dorado County community to be on the lookout.

They claim several men are contacting people selling vehicles and putting oil in the cars’ coolant reservoirs while meeting with the sellers at their homes. Oil in the coolant can be a sign of a bad head gasket or other issue, something that would lead a prospective buyer to ask for a price reduction.

Preston Forsberg, 22, and Kevin Khouri, 27, share similar stories — after posting online listings to sell their vehicles, they were contacted by potential buyers and met with those interested at their homes. Both men told the Mountain Democrat they had no problems with their vehicles before the group of men showed up. Forsberg, selling a

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2000 Toyota Tundra for $6,000, said he suspected that while he was distracted talking to one of the men behind the vehicle, others were putting oil in his truck’s coolant reservoir.

“Nothing came across as suspicious until after I signed the title away but what confirmed it was another man in Cameron

Park who was selling his Camry encountered the same group putting oil in his coolant reservoir, showing he had a blown head gasket,” Forsberg said. “I was alone. That’s how they got me. If I had someone else, that wouldn’t have happened. Someone could have seen what was happening while I was distracted in the back of the truck.” Forsberg claims by doing this they were able to trick him into knocking the price down to nearly half his asking price. “I went inside after the sale super frustrated because I thought the car didn’t have any issues,”

■ See SCAM page A8

Tahoe murderer denied parole

Odin Rasco Staff writer

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Board of Parole Hearings met July 19 and denied the release of an El Dorado County man convicted for the 1988 murder of his wife.

Albert Brooks shot his wife Roberta Woody twice in front of her 11-month-old daughter on April 23, 1988, in South Lake Tahoe, according to information from the El Dorado County District Attorney’s O ce. Brooks shot Woody because he saw she had a photograph of another man; Woody had previously filed a restraining order against Brooks.

After the murder Brooks attempted to take an acquaintance hostage at a gas station; he was eventually convinced by the acquaintance to leave. Brooks then went to the home of a female friend, pulled out the gun he had killed his wife with, threatened to kill her and take her hostage and then fondled her. The woman was able to get away and call the police. Brooks was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to second degree murder Nov. 15, 1988.

During the parole hearing, the board determined Brooks’ criminal history and the “callous and heinous nature of the crime” proved his release still posed an unreasonable risk for the safety of the community. Commissioners determined Brooks continues to objectify women and has not su ciently changed his way of thinking, and that Brooks’ risk factors were “well above average.” Brooks will be denied another parole hearing for three years.

Lobo Trail home, outbuilding burned

Mountain Democrat staff

A fire that damaged a Garden Valley home July 22 started in an outbuilding outside the residence, according to the Garden Valley Fire Protection District.

The following was taken from Placerville Police Department logs:

July 10

7:35 p.m. Officers cited a 28-yearold man allegedly driving on a suspended license on Main Street.

7:58 p.m. Officers cited a 26-yearold man allegedly driving on a suspended license and having expired registration and no proof

I’m a reliable, clean, quiet, respectful person. Have references. Looking for, safe, pleasant, dependable place, close to work to call home for 3 months.

I own my own home in Redding, so hope to pay moderate, to low rent, can’t pay excessive rent, due to obvious double cost. Need as close to Apple Hill — Placerville as possible. Open to

At approximately 7:25 p.m. Garden Valley firefighters were dispatched to the 4700 block of Lobo Trail, finding the outbuilding blaze had already spread to the home. Fire crews knocked down and extinguished the flames that left the outbuilding a total loss and charred a portion of the residence, fire o cials reported. Medics treated one resident with minimal injuries on scene. The cause of the fire is under investigation. a traffic stop on Highway 50. of insurance on Highway 50.

July 11

9:36 a.m. Officers arrested a 29-year-old man who had an outstanding felony warrant on Canal Street.

July 12

12:41 p.m. A stolen vehicle was recovered on Placerville Drive.

Dr. Little’s Dental News

Presented by Jeffery Little, D.D.S.

WHY IS NITROUS OXIDE USED AT THE DENTIST?

We’ve all heard of dentists using “laughing gas” during a dental procedure. Otherwise known as nitrous oxide (N2O), mixing with oxygen creates a mild sedative effect that relaxes the patient. The gas is inhaled through a mask and takes affect within minutes. The N2O slows down the nervous system to make patients feel calm and comfortable during the procedure, but they should not fall asleep. Afterward, the N2O wears off quickly as the patient breaths pure oxygen through a mask. Nitrous oxide is not recommended for every patient, but you may receive it if you have severe dental fear or anxi-

July 13

9:16 a.m. Vehicle embezzlement from a dealership was reported on Forni Road.

9:48 a.m. Officers arrested a 26-year-old man on suspicion being under the influence of a controlled substance on Briw Road.

10:25 a.m. Misconduct was reported on Country Club Drive.

July 14 ety. N2O is also used when patients experience a gag reflex from dental instruments in the mouth.

5:46 a.m. Burglary was reported on Placerville Drive.

Ours is a unique, full-service, advanced dental care facility, designed to provide patients with the most comfortable, up-todate, convenient oral care available today. We’ll keep an eye on your complete oral health when you join our ever-growing list of smiling patients. For stateof-the-art dentistry and a dedicated professional dental team, call us soon for an appointment.

P.S. While nitrous oxide is otherwise known as laughing gas, it does not usually cause giggling in dental patients.

1:44 p.m. Officers arrested a 48-year-old man on suspicion of possession of a concealed knife and illegal drug paraphernalia on Fair Lane.

5:48 p.m. A vehicle fire was reported on Forni Road.

July 15

9:23 a.m. Officers arrested a 44-year-old man who had a felony warrant on Placerville Drive.

9:36 a.m. Officers arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of felony vandalism on Broadway.

12:24 p.m. Officers contacted a 31-year-old man on probation on Tunnel Street. The suspect reportedly resisted arrest.

8:32 p.m. An assault was reported on Broadway.

10:48 p.m. Officers arrested a 48-year-old man during an investigation on Fair Lane.

July 16

1:56 a.m. Officers arrested a 39-year-old woman after reportedly finding narcotics during

6:36 p.m. Officers arrested a 35-year-old man on suspicion of public intoxication and loitering on Golden Street.

8:20 p.m. Residential burglary and vandalism were reported on Grandview Street.

July 17

7 p.m, A firearm was reported lost on Placerville Drive.

11:16 p.m. Theft was reported at a home on Canal Street.

July 18

12:49 a.m. Officers arrested a man who had a felony warrant following traffic stop on Highway 50. He was later released.

2:18 a.m. Officers cited a 44-yearold man who had an outstanding warrant on Conrad Street.

July 19

2:31 p.m. Narcotics were reportedly found on a male patient at Marshall Hospital.

6:50 a.m. Officers arrested a 35-year-old woman on suspicion of trespassing on Placerville Drive.

7:19 a.m. Officers cited a 48-yearold man allegedly in possession of a controlled substance and illegal drug paraphernalia on Placerville Drive.

9:58 a.m. Officers arrested a 49-year-old man who had an outstanding warrant on Placerville Drive.

7:51 p.m. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance on Broadway.