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Sandra Yi ReportingThe manhunt continues tonight for 44-year old James Hill. He's the man who, police say, test-drove a truck last week then forced the sales person out at knifepoint. He never returned. Hill is also wanted for another car theft earlier that day.
A closer look into Hill's history reveals he may have stolen the vehicles as part of a car-selling scam he's been running for several years. And there seem to be quite a few victims out there. We talked to people who claim James Hill took them for a ride, and it cost them tens of thousands of dollars.
Carl Spencer: "Everybody says if it's too good of a deal, it's probably not true, and a lot of times, it's probably the case."
That was the case for Carl Spencer and his son. His son cleaned James Hill's carpets. Hill told them he worked for an insurance company. He promised them cheap cars.
Carl Spencer: "When these other companies fail on their bonds, they go and retrieve these vehicles, and so that's how they get them to sell them."
Spencer and his son asked for a Tahoe and a truck. Hill took their money--nearly $30,000, but he never delivered.
Carl Spencer: "It put us in a financial hurt. Normally, I had enough money to get us through the winter, and I don't."
Eyewitness News has learned the Spencers aren't the only potential victims. West Jordan and Murray Police and the Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division are all involved in investigations involving Hill.
Capt. Gary Cox, West Jordan Police Dept.: "He's always got a really great story. He's really great at convincing people that what he's saying is right, and that they should be able to trust him. And nobody can trust him."
Police say Hill has an extensive criminal history that includes drugs, fraud, even violent crimes. He was arrested last month for communications fraud and theft by deception, involving a car he bought from a dealership. Hill posted bail last week.
Capt. Gary Cox: "He's written checks for vehicles and then taken the vehicle and cancelled the check."
Police say Hill has been scamming victims for three to four years. That angers Carl Spencer, who may never get his money back.
Carl Spencer: "My hands are tied. There's not much I can do. You just try to go one and try to make the money back."
We talked to two other victims on the phone. They say they also gave Hill a total of $30,000 for cars they never saw.
If you have any information on the whereabouts of James Hill, please call police.
