Lockport Township Car Dealership Closed, Owner Has Dealer's License Suspended

LOCKPORT, IL — A Lockport Township business owner was arrested and charged with several misdemeanors and citations, according to Secretary of State Police. Joe Tessone, the owner of Tessone Motors, a used car dealership in Lockport Township, was arrested Monday by Secretary of State Police after an investigation dug up several violations against him.

According to the Secretary of State Police, they will launch a dealer inspection after complaints from the public. Police said four victims, going back six to eight months, reported they never received their vehicle title or plates.

Tessone was arrested on 10 different charges. He was issued four citations for failure to transfer title within 20 days of sale. He was also charged with the class A misdemeanor of failure to maintain a dealer plate record. According to police, a dealer is issued a certain number of dealer plates, and Tessone had no dealer plate log. Police said he had no idea where any of his dealer plates were on the street.

Other misdemeanors with which Tessone was charged include failure to maintain records, acquisition/deposition. Police said all dealerships have a ledger in which they should record vehicles from an auction and to whom the vehicle was sold. Tessone had four entries for which he couldn't account.

In addition, Tessone was charged with failure to maintain records, temporary registration plates — also a misdemeanor. Dealerships are required to keep a record of all temporary plates issued. Police said Tessone gave customers blank temporary plates, which is a big problem for law enforcement.

A police officer could try to run the plates on a car, and no information would come up for the vehicle.

Tessone's dealer's license was immediately suspended as a result of the arrest, and he is prohibited from selling vehicles. Secretary of State Police said his business is closed as a result of the investigation. According to police, Tessone eventually will go to Will County Court. If he receives an Illinois Vehicle Code conviction, he'll need to wait three years before applying for a new dealer's license.

Tessone Motors is located at 1801 S State St., in Lockport.

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