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Kory Michael Woodside -
1983 Regal T Type Coupe
After allegedly botching a restoration project and subsequently stealing the 1983 Buick Regal, a 42-year-old Beaumont auto repair shop owner is reportedly working out a restitution deal that would dismiss his felony theft and forgery charges.
Kory Michael Woodside, owner of Vintage Autoworks on Landis Drive, appeared before 252nd District Court Judge Raquel West Oct. 10. His attorney Bruce Smith told the judge they needed a reset to arrange terms for restitution.
According to the indictment dated March 2022, on Sept. 16, 2021, the complainant told Beaumont Police Department (BPD) Detective Tina Lewallen that Woodside – his mechanic – stole his ivory 1983 Buick Regal after allegedly muffing the project multiple times.
“(The victim) was having this vehicle restored, inside and out,” Lewallen wrote. “He provided me with receipts adding up to $25,525. The receipts documented the work supposed to have been performed on the car. His receipts for payment started in August 2019. Emails show the vehicle was expected to be completed around Christmas 2019.
“His final payment was April 2020, and he still did not have his car completed.”
After picking up the uncompleted vehicle, the victim advised the air compressor had a leak, so the AC was not working correctly. He left with plans to return once Woodside received a parts shipment. With that repair work supposedly completed, the affidavit details, the victim drove the car to Humble.
“When he shut the door, the window shattered,” the detective wrote. “The next morning he was taking his car to get the window repaired and a belt broke off the motor. This was supposed to be a new motor put in the car.”
After once again “fixing” the issues, the victim drove away – only to discover more of the same.
“When (he) drove the car, he realized the AC was not working when the car was not in motion,” Lewallen wrote. “He said the belts were squealing, and the new transmission was slipping. (He) called Woodside and advised he was not paying for another tow, due to the issues with the car (being) items he just replaced.”
After approximately two months of the victim not having his car repaired after his third visit, the man entered the business “very upset,” with Lewallen reporting, “Woodside told him, ‘What do you want me to do, pull the other cars down?’ (The victim) stated he said, ‘Yes, mine is paid for.’ He left without his car.”
Three days later, Woodside sent an email to the victim telling him his car was parked on the street with keys in the seat. The mechanic told the man to pick up the car that day or else he would have it towed. Woodside followed by informing his unsatisfied customer that if he stepped foot on his property, “(the victim) would go to jail.”
Judge West reset Woodside’s next hearing for 30 days, during which lawyers say they’ll have ample time to tabulate restitution.