Police: Freeport Man Scammed Car Dealership, Customers in Roslyn, Westbury

An auto company sales agent who is accused of taking client’s money for his own personal gain was arrested Tuesday morning, police said.

Michael McGriff, 41, 56 Forest Ave. of Freeport, worked for Port Motors, 1036 Northern Blvd. in Roslyn and Auto Galleria, 500 Old Country Road in Westbury.

According to police, McGriff would receive cash as down payments for the vehicles and would keep the money for himself.

He made at least 27 separate contracts with customers to purchase motor vehicles and would alter credit applications by stating that customers gave a lower down payment amount, or the customers made a higher salary, police said.

As a result of McGriff’s actions, Port Motors lost over $170,000 in profits while Auto Galleria lost over $5,000 in profits, police said.

McGriff was arrested in East Garden City at 7:55 a.m. on Tuesday without incident.

He is charged with six counts of grand larceny in the third degree, possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, falsifying business records in the first degree and defraud and violation of probation.

McGriff is currently in the hospital for a medical condition and will be arraigned as soon as his health allows it.

Image via Google Maps

Photo 1: Port Motors in Roslyn

Photo 2: Auto Galleria in Westbury

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