Charges against car dealer to be reduced

Friday, Feb. 20, 2004 | 10:29 a.m.

The manager of a Henderson car dealership who was charged with misdemeanors as a result of a confrontation with a customer could wind up getting the charges dismissed.

Joshua Towbin, the 28-year-old general manager of the Towbin Dodge Superstore, appeared before Henderson Justice of the Peace Rodney Burr on Thursday to face a gross misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

Those charges will be dismissed, however, if Towbin stays out of trouble for six months, District Attorney David Roger said. Towbin also will make a $1,000 donation to the Injured Police Officer's Fund.

John Cleary, 46, had pressed charges against Towbin after Towbin allegedly threatened to assault him during a dispute over a $2,500 discrepancy in a contract for a Dodge truck he bought from the dealership.

Cleary had been driving around the dealership with anti-Towbin signs attached to his vehicle when Towbin allegedly blocked Cleary's truck with a Cadillac Escalade, preventing him from leaving the area, then allegedly kicked Cleary's truck while tearing down the signs.

Towbin, who calls himself "The Chopper," is known for his local television commercials. He is to appear in court again April 22 for a status check on the case.