The owner of a now-closed used car lot in downtown Wichita has been sentenced to probation for using threats and fraud in connection with his business, and he will have to pay $44,500 in restitution to two victims.
27-year-old Abdallah “Adam” Alashqar of Wichita pleaded guilty in May to two counts of criminal threat and one count of felony threat. He was the owner of Adams Auto Sales and Repairs at 220 East Kellogg. As part of a plea agreement, the Sedgwick County district attorney’s office dismissed additional counts of forgery and theft.
Prosecutors said Alashqar threatened customers who complained about the used cars they purchased at his lot. He was also accused of defrauding his bank by cashing a worthless check and spending the proceeds.
Under the plea agreement, Alashqar gave a $3,000 refund check to a woman who bought a car from him. He also transferred a parcel of real estate back to a former employee who had tried to buy an interest in the car lot. District Judge Bruce Brown told Alashqar that he could serve 12 months in prison if he violates the probation conditions.
The district attorney’s office began an investigation of the car lot in January, 2017. Alashqar and his brother, 25-year-old Obada Alashqar, had operated the lot and Obada was previously convicted on a felony count of conspiracy for defrauding the finance company that provided a line of credit to the car lot.
