Hastings allegedly stole thousands of dollars from more than a dozen people when he operated Good Deal auto sales at 180 Boston Road in Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD – A prosecutor on Tuesday told Hampden Superior Court jurors the state will prove Jon Hastings stole thousands of dollars from more than a dozen people when he operated Good Deal auto sales at 180 Boston Road in 2008 and 2009.
Assistant District Attorney Richard B. Morse said Hastings, of 3 Mineral Springs Road in Ludlow, took money from customers and never delivered on the cars.
In other cases, Morse said, Hastings took money and delivered on the cars but not the title. The cars were towed away when reported stolen by an auto wholesaler, Morse said.
Defense lawyer Frank P. Buendo Jr. declined to make an opening statement at the start of the trial before Judge John A. Agostini.
Hastings, 51, faces two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle and 14 counts of larceny over $250.
Morse said jurors would hear from 11 people who gave money to Hastings for cars.
After they gave the money, Morse said some got “what is known as in the common parlance as the run around.”
“They all ultimately ended up with nothing,” he said.
He said Hastings is also accused of stealing from an auto wholesaler and a credit union.