Several consumers, including one from Connecticut, have reported to the Amityville Village Police Department, that they have lost thousands of dollars as a result of the sudden closing of a local car dealership.

The dealership, National Auto Brokers at 189 Sunrise Hwy., Amityville, closed suddenly, and efforts to reach a representative of that business were not successful.

In one incident, a North Babylon resident reported that he had purchased a vehicle there and paid $3,000 for a warranty on the car, a certificate for which was to be mailed to his creditor, and then to him. That never occurred and when the vehicle owner attempted to contact National Auto Brokers, he discovered that it was out of business.

In a second incident, a woman from Connecticut told Village Police that she purchased a vehicle from the dealership for $15,349 and drove the vehicle home Nov. 5. During that trip home, she said the car appeared to be having mechanical trouble and she brought it to her mechanic in Connecticut who told her the vehicle had a "blown engine."

The woman contacted National Auto Brokers and they sent a tow to pick up the vehicle on Nov. 10, saying they were going to repair the vehicle. After repeated calls to the dealership, she learned recently that it was out of business.

As of late last week, National Auto Brokers had a website under the name of Tony Vento and listed dozens of cars for sale. Calls to Mr. Vento for comment were not returned at press time.

Amityville Village Police Det. Bruce Pescitelli is investigating the case. Anyone with information can reach him at 631-264-0400.