The Dougherty County Sheriff’s Department has arrested the general manager of the Carl Gregory automotive dealership on theft charges.

Investigators say 32-year-old Joseph Martin mastermined a scheme to steal down payments from customers.  They say Martin and another car salesman, 41-year-old Kenneth Kennedy would take earnest money from customers and then allow them to drive a vehicle off the lot, and that Martin and Kennedy would pocket the cash.  Investigators say Martin and Kennedy would later notify the customers that the financing had fallen through and that they would have to forfeit the earnest money and return the vehicle to the dealership.  Kennedy, who has a long history of criminal activity remains at large.  Investigators say the con went on for more than a month and targeted at least seven customers.  Martin has been charged with six felony counts of theft by taking and four misdemeanor counts of theft by taking.  Investigators have uncovered more than $9,000 in stolen money.

The Carl Gregory dealership has returned all money involved in the scam to the customers who were victimized.