The Brake Team, once targeted by investigation, closes down 11 repair shops in valley

The Brake Team, the target of a sting operation earlier this year, has closed 11 auto brake repair shops in the Las Vegas area and four others in Northern Nevada because of the economic slump, a company spokesman said Thursday.

The company employed about 50 Nevada workers at its peak plus another 30 in Oregon, but it had been reducing jobs since August, according to the spokesman who asked that his name not be used.

Altogether, the company had 26 locations, including some in Oregon and Washington.

The company closed its final shops Nov. 1.

The attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection in June filed a civil complaint against the Brake Place, which did business as the Brake Team. The state agency alleged violations of the Nevada Deceptive Trade Practices Act based on findings of sting operations in the Las Vegas Valley.

On the same day, the Brake Place, which has David Getz as its president, consented to an injunction against deceptive trade practices. The company denied the allegations.

Curtis Johnson, area developer for franchisor Precise Tune Auto Care, said he wants to lease three of the closed locations in Southern Nevada and to provide a complete range of auto repair services, bringing his Precise Tune area locations to six.

Johnson said he is looking over warranties held by former Brake Team customers and will provide warranty work and parts when feasible.

"We see that as a marketing opportunity," Johnson said.

Johnson obtained leases for locations at Fort Apache Road and Flamingo Road and at Eastern Avenue and Las Vegas Beltway. He seeks to lease a third location at Tropicana Avenue and Eastern Avenue.

Brakeway is taking over four locations in Northern Nevada, the Brake Team spokesman said.

The Brake Place has not filed for bankruptcy protection, the spokesman said.

Contact reporter John G. Edwards at jedwards@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0420.