Bond reinstated for car dealer accused of raping teen girl at his Crosby dealership

Car dealer Riku 'The Finnisher' Melartin Thursday faced a judge, who reinstated Melartin's bond on rape charges.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- We have an update in the rape case against local car dealer Riku Melartin.

A judge Thursday reinstated the $100,000 bond for Melartin. His attorney says the bond was revoked last week because of a paperwork issue.

Melartin is accused of raping a girl at his dealership in Crosby. The girl and her mother worked for Melartin, and say they want justice, while Melartin's attorney says his client is ready to go home.

"It's been hard. It was hard to see him come out, but I'm confident that we will get justice. I'm confident in that," said the mother of the alleged victim.

Melartin's attorney, Jim Butler, said, "Happy that he gets to go back home. All the other emotions from one end of the spectrum to the other are still there."

Melartin and his assistant, George Koutani, are both also accused of fondling the 16-year-old at Melartin's dealership.
___________________________________________________________

Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices

(Copyright ©2013 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Thieves nab tires from dealership cars

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Several cars are sitting bare at a car dealership in northwest Houston after thieves took off with the tires.

It happened along the North Freeway at DeMontrond. Police say a group of thieves broke into the dealership and stole the tires off the new cars.

Authorities are still looking for the criminals, who are believed to have run off into the woods.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here

Man suing car dealership he once represented

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A spokesman who's well known in our area is suing the company he once represented. He says he was fired because of his cancer.

It's likely how you know Rocky McCullough, by way of car dealership commercials. He's been a staple on Houston TV.

"I've lost around 48 pounds," he said. "It's devastating."

Except for doctors appointments, McCullough now spends most of his days at home, and it's tough. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in December and terminated from his general manager position at Southern Ford position four months later.

"To me, it was blatant that the reason they want me gone is because I was sick," he said.

Southern Ford denies the allegation.

McCullough says he was hired last November to turn the struggling dealership near Pearland around. He started buying inventory. By April, he says sales were up 247 percent over last year, but on April 13, he says management called him in and made it brief.

"They told me they're going in a different direction," McCullough said.

Southern Ford sent us a statement saying, "McCullough's termination was due to significant operational losses," and they are confident their decision was both justified and lawful.

McCullough admits there were losses while he was purchasing inventory.

"If you don't have anything to sell, you don't earn anything," he said.

He hopes a lawsuit alleging disability discrimination sends a message.

"That's against the law, and besides that, I think everyone would agree it's just wrong," McCullough's attorney, Danny Goforth, said.

Because even as a shadow of his former self, McCullough maintains he's still able to do his job.

"I would be at work this afternoon if they hadn't gone 'in a different direction' on April 13," he said.

McCullough is asking for past and future lost wages as well as damages.

Southern Ford says it prides itself on maintaining a workplace free of harassment or discrimination.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, jessica willey

View the original article here