Hi Volks,

Revenge is a dish best served cold and in large quantities...

FWIW and IMNSHO :

Don't even mention taking personal vengance against these sorts.  They
probably are well equipped to come back to you legally and have you suitably
punished for YOUR action.

Yeah, I know, you'd LIKE to .... but restrain.  Get his business license
number.  Talk to the local authorities for their guidance as how to handle
it.  Take and keep good notes.

File a formal complaint to the BBB or the local equivalent of Bureau of
Automotive Repairs (CA) on paper with a return receipt.  Follow up on the
complaint by a personal appearance if necessary to express your concern, not
indignation, just concern, at the BBB/BAR/ department of consumer affairs.
Ask for their guidance and assistance on reconciling the matter.  Take good
notes of what they recommend.  If he's a corporation say TCCH or somesuch
file the same letter with the state department of corporations, wait a
while, follow up.

Assemble your notes and any other evidence of personal loss in the matter,
consult your attorney, then simply file a small claims or some other
respected action to recover your damages.  Monetary damages.  Keep good
notes.

After trying to reconcile with the perpetrator, don't threaten, don't warn,
don't even communicate after his refusal, just gather your evidence and
proceed in an honorable and forthright manner through the system.

If the reprobate treated you like dog poo, tough.  No monetary damage here.
If the fellow was glacially slow in doing the work and the work was not to
your liking, tough.  Hard to prove monetary damage.

But if the car didn't run and you had to rent a car to get  to work and pay
someone else to redo the work to restore your car to an operational status,
keep the receipts and records and sue for what you had to pay to make it
right.  No pain and suffering, no mental anguish, no loss of consort, just
the monetary outlay to keep on truckin'.

Now on the other hand, if the thief ok something and refused after your
request to return it, that's theft.  If the item is worth say a $1000USD or
so it is a matter to be pursued by the local authorities, NOT YOU.  Gather
your evidence and talk to the local DA or Police department or Sheriff's
office about how to handle it.  DON'T take any personal retribution, make
any threats or even reveal your intention to take personal action.  A judge
will assess the situation badly if you have been less than honorable.  Let
the evidence, notes, and other information do the talking.

Let the local L.E.O do his job.  It's not your job.  You can apply gentle
pressure on the PD/SO to get something done.

But, hey, it's just my opinion,  I don't even play one on TV.

pensioner