Friday, February 20, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
'The Chopper' may not face charges
Customer claimed car dealer threatened him
By GLENN PUIT
REVIEW-JOURNAL
The car salesman known in his television commercials as "The Chopper" may end up getting criminal charges against him dismissed.
Joshua Towbin, 28, is the general manager of the Towbin Dodge Superstore in Henderson. In his colorful television commercials, he is referred to as "The Chopper."
A little more than a week ago, Clark County prosecutors confirmed they filed charges of false imprisonment, a gross misdemeanor, and disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, against Towbin.
The charges stemmed from a dispute with customer John Cleary, 46, who was upset about a vehicle contract with Towbin Dodge. In November, Cleary said he drove around Towbin's dealership with signs on his truck that said "I got pucked by Towbin Dodge."
According to police, Towbin eventually drove up to Cleary's truck in a Cadillac Escalade with about four other men. A police report alleges Towbin put his vehicle in reverse and started following Cleary's vehicle in the northbound lanes of a roadway, headed southbound, "almost hitting another vehicle."
Cleary alleged his vehicle then was blocked in and Towbin threatened to beat him up. Cleary claimed "several of Chopper's workers" ripped the signs off his truck and that Towbin kicked his truck.
Towbin's attorney, Dominic Gentile, has said the charges filed against Towbin were without merit. He also said numerous witnesses disputed Cleary's account.
On Thursday, Towbin's case was scheduled for a status check in the courtroom of Henderson Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr. Attorney Mark Sardzarnoski appeared on Towbin's behalf and said a resolution in the case has been reached with prosecutors.
Sardzarnoski told the judge the resolution requested that the case be continued for 60 days. Sardzarnoski said if Towbin stays out of trouble during that time, the case would be dismissed and Towbin would make a donation to a local charity that aids injured police officers.
Burr continued the matter for 60 days. The justice of the peace said it was unclear whether the law would permit such a donation, and he advised prosecutors and Sardzarnoski to research the matter further.
