A Cranberry Township mechanic and business owner is accused of failing to repair a customer’s vehicle in his possession for five months and lending it out while he had it.

Keith Randall Smith, 68, was charged Friday, Nov. 21, with one felony count each of deceptive business practices and criminal use of a communication facility, and one misdemeanor count each of unauthorized vehicle use and criminal mischief following a Nov. 19 report.

Since 2022, Smith has had eight convictions for similar crimes involving at least 11 victims at the same business, police said.

Police said they were contacted Nov. 19 by a man who had taken his vehicle to Oilology, a Cranberry Township auto repair business, on June 5 and had not yet received it back. Police said the man had exchanged at least 374 messages and images with Smith, the owner of the business, regarding repairs to the vehicle.

Police said Smith made repeated excuses why the vehicle had not been repaired. However, the man also saw his vehicle missing from Smith’s lot on multiple occasions. Smith said it was because he was test-driving the vehicle after repairs, police said.

Police said the man also received a Pennsylvania Turnpike invoice stating the car had traveled from Cranberry Township to the Somerset area on Aug. 8 while the car was in Smith’s possession.

Police found Smith had lent the vehicle to a woman while her vehicle was being repaired at Oilology. Traffic cameras show the vehicle being used consistently from June 14 to Sept. 12.

Police and the vehicle owner retrieved the vehicle from Oilology and found a broken windshield, damage to the driver’s side and the passenger-side inner fender, and numerous mechanical issues. Police said the car also was missing rear speakers valued at $1,768,98.

Police said the vehicle also had 4,760 additional miles on the odometer than it did when the man left the car with Smith. Police said the mileage rate equates to a $3,332 value.

Smith’s hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 5 before District Judge Kevin Flaherty.