Car owners claim they were deprived of its use after repossession

Two Fairview Heights men claim a repossession company deprived them of the use of their 2009 Pontiac after wrongly taking control of it.

Eddie L. Ricks Jr. and Eddie L. Ricks Sr. filed a lawsuit Sept. 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Thomas M. Utley doing business as C.A.S. Repossession, Louis J. Fusz Sr., Louis J. Fusz Jr., Lou Fusz Pontiac, Buick, GMC Trucks, Lou Fusz Automotive Network and Lou Fusz Motor Company.

The Ricks claim they purchased a 2009 Pontiac G8, four-door vehicle from Bob Brockland Pontiac, GMC on Aug. 23, 2008.

The Ricks brought their vehicle home to 408 Lemans Way in Fairview Heights where it remained until defendant Thomas M. Utley removed it on Sept. 7, 2008, at the direction of the Fusz defendants, according to the complaint.

Because of the incident, the vehicle became damaged and the Ricks lost its use, the suit states. In addition, they suffered embarrassment, humiliation and emotional distress, the complaint says.

In their complaint, the Ricks seek a judgment of more than $45,000, plus costs.

Carmen S. Durso of Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-457.