HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. — The owner of a used car dealership in South Florida is facing thousands of dollars in fines and potential jail time after he was accused of using a downtown parking garage to store his cars during Hurricane Irma.
Autoline on Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach parked 47 cars, with warranty stickers and no tags, in residents' spaces in a city garage, according to WPLG.
The dealership’s alleged action forced residents, who were supposed to have reserved spots in the garage for their cars, to have to find another place for their vehicles during the storm.
Workers moved the fleet of vehicles back to the dealership on Wednesday and declined to comment on the impending fines and possible arrest, according to WPLG.
The owner of the dealership was issued 24 notices to appear in court from the city of Hollywood, claiming that Autoline violated a city ordinance that makes it illegal to use public property for private business.
The owner faces $12,000 in fines and a potential 60 days in jail.