Owner of Furniture Stores in Vacaville, Gilroy & San Jose Charged With Stealing Thousands From Customers

News from the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office:

The owner of a series of furniture stores has been charged with stealing more than $20,000 from his patrons.

When purchased chairs and sofas were not delivered, customers would return to the store only to discover that he had closed his business and left town. Then, in a nearby city, the pattern would begin again.

In all, Hung Anh “Peter” Troung opened three furniture stores in San Jose, Gilroy and Vacaville.

He closed them all when confronted by angry customers. The 48-year-old is charged with 10 felonies and a misdemeanor count of theft.

He was arrested Wednesday and is out of custody after posting $50,000 bail.

Troung is expected to be arraigned at 9:00 a.m. on September 19 in the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 9 years in prison.

“Furnishing a home is one of the most basic and major expenses a consumer can make,” prosecutor Vishal Bathija said. “A buyer’s consideration should be based on quality and price, not on whether they will end up losing their money to theft.”

The joint investigation between the Gilroy Police Department and the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office revealed that the defendant operated American Furniture in Gilroy from August 2012 to May 2013 and Galaxy Furniture in San Jose from May 2013 to January 2014. The defendant operated the Furniture Outlet in Vacaville from October 2011 to January 2012.

At all three businesses, Truong routinely took payments, failed to deliver furniture, and then could not be reached by frustrated customers.

The investigation also revealed that some customers were victims of a “bait and switch,” where one model of furniture was purchased and the defendant would deliver a cheaper model. Truong would refuse requests to correct the order.

Consumers that believe they are victims of American Furniture in Gilroy or Galaxy Furniture in San Jose can file a complaint with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office by calling the prosecutor at (408) 792-2970.