SAN FRANCISCO — Prosecutors in California have dropped criminal charges against an Indiana business owner who builds replica Batmobiles whose shop was raided by sheriff's deputies, according to ABC News affiliate KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Mark Racop, the owner of Fiberglass Freaks in Logansport, faced felony charges of "Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, and Diversion of Construction Funds", KGO-TV reports.
San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaff told KGO-TV directly that the case was being dismissed.
Wagstaffe previously told KGO-TV his staff approved the search and arrest warrants prepared by sheriff's investigators. He also said that in his 45 years in the DA's Office, he has never seen a raid like this by sheriff's investigators in another state, for a non-violent theft case, KGO-TV reports.
In August, Racop told WRTV that he believes a group of deputies from California made the trip to raid his shop as a favor for the sheriff's friend. The raid was conducted by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office
"The raid was not an investigation, it was not an interrogation. It was with an agenda," Racop told WRTV.
Fiberglass Freaks is the only place in the country you can get a Batmobile built that is licensed and approved by DC comics. It specializes in 1966 Batmobile models.
Several people believe the trip is a case of a California sheriff doing a favor for a friend, according to KGO-TV, and that it all stems from the purchase of the $210,000 Batmobile ordered by a man named Sam Anagnostou from California.
Racop says the man missed a $20,000 payment on his vehicle and then disappeared.
After Anagnostou paid $170,000 toward his replica, Mark Racop says he couldn't get in touch with him for more than eight months, KGO-TV reports.
Sheriff Carlos Bolanos admits he launched the investigation after Anagnostou, one of his donors, called to complain that his $210,000 Batmobile had been delayed. Bolanos sent a team of four investigators to raid the Batmobile garage in Logansport, Indiana.
In a news release, Cass County, Indiana Sheriff Edward Schroder stated that deputies served only as a "liaison agency" for California authorities.
"Cass County is not participating in California's criminal investigation, and is not investigating Mr. Racop or his business, Fiberglass Freaks, and has no information upon which to initiate a criminal investigation," the release states.
WRTV Reporter Kaitlyn Kendall contributed to this report.
-
The Hill 317 kicks off season with Memorial Day climb
David Malukas opens up on why he was so emotional after Indy 500
The historic 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 finish ended in elation for Felix Rosenqvist and heartbreak for David Malukas.
The famous people that Felix Rosenqvist heard from after he won the Indy 500
Felix Rosenqvist etched his name into the record books at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, beating out David Malukas in the closest finish in Indy 500 history.
State police identify married couple after Danville police shooting
State police are still trying to figure out what happened and what led up to the deaths of the husband and wife. Investigators say it all started as a call for help at this Danville home.
