Batmobile raid hearing canceled, San Mateo DA considers dropping case -- EXCLUSIVE 

Buried in the details of this story is the fact that the accused's bank account was frozen by the state before any court proceedings at all. That the state can do this gives the state the huge advantage of thwarting the accused's ability to mount a meaningful defense, as the accused has no resources to dedicate to hiring a defense attorney, paying for independent testing of evidence, etc. I can't put into words just how corrupt that makes the process.

Everyone involved need to be investigated and prosecuted this was unbelievable over reach. This kind of corruption must stop! My question is why did the sheriff in Indiana allow this to take place in his county?

It not only should be dismissed, charges should be pressed against all the people who abused their power.

A sheriff has no legal authority outside the state. He should be prosecuted.

If the Sherrif actually did this as a favor for a friend. He should be prosecuted. So should his friend as well.

So let me get this straight. You only do the ethical and lawful thing if it’s wildly publicized. GREAT JOB 👏

Dropping the case wasn't even a question. Whats up in the air is investigating corruption in public office, and the fact that he's only "considering" dropping it just makes me want that investigation more.

The charges against the Indiana man never should have been brought in the first place. The DA's office needs to stop blindly signing any warrants the corrupt Sheriff's office gives them. The Sheriff and his ilk need to see a long vacation in prison. I hope the Indiana man sues the Sheriff, his office, the DA, and the rich realtor. The realtor is not a victim; he is a bully.

The sheriff and the ADA who brought this case are guilty of a RICO violation and should both be charged under federal for organized crime. They have misused their good offices in what failed as a civil trial according to the California judge hearing the matter.

That office should be bringing charges against that sheriff. This is one of the most bs cases I have ever heard of in my life.

You don't commission someone to design a piece of art for you and then ask for a refund halfway through the artist doing your request. Just further shows what a low-life the buyer is.

Let me get this straight. The DA's office had zero knowledge of this raid, but signed off on the warrant? Either he's lying or he just rubber stamps everything. Either way, criminals that shouldn't be free to live amongst society.

Good. Now file charges against the one who ordered the raid, those who stole the business's funds, and the purchaser for sending his buddy to terrorize a business.

The only criminals, in this case, are the buyer, the sheriff, the sheriff's deputies, the DA, the sheriff in Indiana who went along with the farce, and the Indiana Judge who signed the search warrant. The U.S. Department of Justice needs to open an investigation into this case to determine if any of the above-mentioned people violated the law. If an investigation shows that laws were violated then the U.S. Department of Justice must prosecute all those who broke the law. The fact that a local California Judge ruled that this is a civil matter that belongs in an Indiana court and that the DA's office initially ruled that this was a civil matter and then suddenly reversed course and allowed this injustice to take place suggests that this attack on the car builder is corruption within the San Mateo judicial system! According to the car builder, the realtor missed a $20,000 payment and failed to respond to the builder's request for payment for more than eight months which is what caused the assembly of his car to be moved behind others who had ordered cars. That sounds reasonable and legitimate. Why would the car builder continue to build a car for a buyer who missed a substantial payment and then failed to communicate with the builder for more than eight months? All of the above-mentioned people thrust emotional and financial hardship on the car builder and they should be sued to compensate the car builder for the harm they caused him!

It shouldn't just end up as a civil case. The rich man basically sent a private security team to intimidate the seller. That intimidation has to be a crime.

Now THIS is the sort of reporting we need MORE of! Expose those crooks who are abusing their authority!

"What spurred that second look?" "You" It's always good to hear the only reason why a normal person has a better chance to win a court case because a news network is blasting the judge on video.

It’s frightening that the DA’s case even got this far. Ridiculous.

If the car builder was of the same sort, a person who would use any means to get his way, then I'd expect a lawsuit for the abuse he's endured. Somehow, I doubt the child with money who caused all these issues will learn a thing from being exposed as a typical bully.

The San Mateo County District Attorney saying "I hope not, I hope not" when asked if he thought this was done as favor from the Sheriff. I've heard this type of response before and it's pretty obvious he is doing all he can to protect his friend the Sheriff. The builder's assets should have been released at the same time the arraignment was called off. Instead, the District Attorney is going to waste even more of the county's resources trying to come up with a legal loop hole to protect his friend the Sheriff and punish the builder.

This is definitely an abuse of power and don't forget that the four deputies should be under investigation as well. They know the law and they know that they are not obligated as a matter of fact they need a challenge when issued and unlawful order. Based on what we've heard about there conduct at the artist's business they definitely should be fired without the retirement benefits. Should never be allowed to be in law enforcement again.

ITS A CIVIL MATTER. The fact that the “victim” is facebook friends with the sheriff pushing this speaks volumes. Now that the criminal part

Sheriff should be removed from his position. Realtor should be charged with intimidation.

This is about a very wealthy and self-indulgent guy who's used to getting what he wants on his terms, and is not above resorting to malicious legal harassments and intimidation tactics (including having the accused's bank acct frozen) in order to get it, and destroying the accused's personal and professional reputation in the process (he's the only one legally licensed to build this vehicle). Maybe the customer was attempting to manipulate the situation in order to get his $170k back, and get the completed custom car for nothing. That sheriff, his deputies, and whoever it was in the San Mateo DA's office that conspired with the sheriff in this blatantly criminal activity, they should all be prosecuted. "Holy corruption!"

This is and always was a civil case. The sheriff's got involved as a favor for a friend to get his car quicker. I've seen this type of intimidation myself and in person. When wealthy people have friends at the sheriff's department, they like to wield it. Crossing county line for a sheriff is leaving their jurisdiction. They have zero authority over any civil matter period.

The sheriff probably thought he was gonna get away with his abuse of power, that it would go totally unnoticed. I’m so glad it didn’t! I’m glad this investigative reporting was done and they’re keeping it in the news. Most excellent! I hope the guy from Indiana not only is found to be in the right but also decides to sue both parties for defamation.

Dude missed a payment: that's breach of contract. Everything else is abuse of power. Nuff said.

Don’t let this story die. I live in Canada and I find this story disgusting. That sheriff, regardless of the fact he’s retiring needs to be charged internally with miss-appropriation of police resources and corruption. I would like to see more direct questions put to the people involved, to hold those responsible, accountable for this fiasco.

The ADA originally said she couldn’t do anything because it’s a civil suit. Once the Sheriff and his henchmen got involved she changed her mind and filed criminal charges. This DA has rats in his own house and he needs to hold them accountable.

The fact that this sheriff used county funds to do a personal favor for this wealthy man-child needs to be prosecuted for misappropriation, and anything else they can charge him with. They need to make the plaintiff pay the costs to send those people on his witch hunt, and also any and all legal fees and costs incurred by the builder. I'd also just give him the car in whatever state it's currently in, and tell him due to his breach of contract, it's done.

I am so glad to hear an update on this story. Thanks to the OP.

Everyone involved still needs to be investigated and punished.

Its pretty bad when a sheriff thinks he has jurisdiction in another state. Abuse of power and a gross misuse of public funds and personnel. Put him in jail!

No batmobile for the Realtor and 5 million-dollar judgement awarded to the Builder for slander, false imprisonment, etc. And prison for the the Realtors Police Friend/s / accomplices.

He didn't send investigators. He sent 4 sheriff's who were out of jurisdiction.

So it wasn't until this story made the news and attracted massive amounts of attention that the DA decided to have a second look? Why is the man's bank account still frozen? Why haven't these charges been dropped completely since it's clearly a civil matter? Why hasn't there been any kind of investigation into the chief and misappropriation of funds? That's taxpayer money that was spend on flights, hotels, truck rental, meals and overtime...over 10k bc some rich fool is butthurt that he himself messed up. When are we gonna start making examples of these a holes that abuse their positions of power at the expense of everyone else?

The sad part is, this is the story you hear about. What about when people do this stuff to a mom and pop diner or small business to harass them for petty issues, using the law or friends in high places? This one got media traction, but I bet abuse of power like this is more common than we'd imagine.

The car builder shouldn't have ever had charges. However now the sheriff and his flunkies need charges brought up on them. There has to be some law on them traveling that far out of their jurisdiction over state lines while performing fraud charging it to their tax payers.

This whole episode reminds me of what can happen when authority is corrupt.

“What spurred that second look?” We got caught helping our buddy to abuse the legal system, that’s what

This is what actual investigative journalism is! Big Ups to these people for doing their jobs correctly! It's the first time I've seen investigative journalism done right in several years. It's so good to see the news trying to help people rather than be a mouthpiece for propaganda! Civilized Society still has some fight left in it!

Hold up. On one hand, the DA says he had no heads up about the raid, and then in the next sentence the reporter says the DA signed off on the warrants (which honestly I thought only a judge could do). The whole point: these warrants are written up by the police and the DA and the judge barely read them before signing off, never asked any questions.

Unfreeze that man's bank account right now! He has a family to care for and a business to run, and there is no reason this should have happened.

What a disgrace to the sheriff office it's unbelievable and just to imagine what else is going on

This is what is wrong with the system. The DA should not just call off the arraignment, he needs to arrest the sheriff for corruption and abuse of government powers. This is insane.

He needs to sue the sheriffs department

That opening line should have been “in a criminal case involving disgustingly corrupt cops and attorneys who got caught and now want to back out and act like they’re not corrupt.”

This artists' civil rights were violated. You can't just say forget about it. Someone needs to be held responsible for this.

Everyone involved in this MUST be investigated!!!! This can’t be allowed to be swept under the carpet.

I’m a retired Prosecutor and Judge and this whole situation makes those involved look totally corrupt. A rich guy called in a favor and the almost unbelievable situation occurred. An issue that was at most an issue for a civil law suit, was made criminal and law-enforcement officers invaded another state and arrested an innocent person. This Prosecutor and the police look like they were acting in some dull, dumb comedy. I imagine the guy who makes the Bat mobiles, will soon be much richer when he sues these jerks.

Charges should be brought against the sheriff and everyone involved!!!!!!!

I hope he goes to CA, not for an arraignment but to sue the other DA, the sheriff and Mr. Antagonisto! I can't believe that poor man's money is still tied up, how do they get away with that? It is extortion to say the least. And shame on the Indiana law enforcement and judicial system for allowing such nonsense.

Y'all need to investigate how the police got 4 different judges to sign warrants for this.

Someone needs to be bringing charges against the Sheriff's Office in San Mateo.

Translation of the DA's interview. We got caught doing something underhanded. We are now stopping what we were doing. Whoever in the DA's office approved this should be criminally charged. Everyone in the Sheriff's dept involved including the sheriff should be criminally charged. The "victim" should have ALL of his assets seized and criminally charged. Kudos to the builder for wanting tp complete the project. I'd refund him his money and refuse service.

We don't want it cancelled, we want to press charges on the sheriff!

Damage is already done due to their drity warrent, they got access to the the guy's private information and financial records. They also froze his bank account. Damage done using law enforcement connections for malicious harassment.

Thanks for reporting on this! I am a resident in San Mateo and have been following this story. I won't stop questioning my county representatives until Sheriff Bolanos is held accountable. We can't fight abuse of power if we don't know about it. Thank you Dan Moyes.

Legal experts know exactly how badly the DA messed up and is now backpedaling trying to save what’s left of his career. It’s pretty common for DA’s to NSF cases on insufficient evidence on cases that really shouldn’t be dismissed to begin with, but this case was clearly evident that it shouldn’t had been gone on as far as it did. The sheriff knows he’s done too, which is why he’s missing in action and hiding out. Can’t wait for more follow up stories on the inevitable and coming indictments and lawsuits against the DA, the sheriff, his crony deputies, and more. Violations with “color of authority” (abuse of power) by those entrusted to uphold the law are easily seen here, those in law enforcement can easily see this, let alone those who practice law. Lawsuits, only way things ever get corrected.

San Mateo needs to take a hard look at their "justice" department.

They are just extending the 'investigation' time in hope that the spotlight moved away that they feel safe to drop the case entirely. If this happens, we all know that this whole county are filled with corrupt people. I just hope that people keep the spotlight on this case.

Time to sue the Sherrif's Department.

And a special shout out to the journalist that is actually doing his job here!! Keep digging - keep demanding - keep going higher!! You all at ABC7 Bay Area deserve an award for this!!

I'm from Michigan and I'd like to thank ABC 7 for holding these officials feet to the fire.

Yeah they should and then give the builder reparations for time wasted but not out of the public trough but out of the corrupt sheriffs pocket

The Sheriff should have to repay his offices all the money spent to chase someone out of state over a civil matter.

Why is a police car outside this man's house? I want personal security guards too... This is disgusting abuses of Power

Shouldn’t just be dropping the case, this guy deserves a huge settlement for being treated like a criminal when he was the one who’d had his livelihood messed with.

It's a civil issue. The sheriff needs to explain why he took up this pursuit.

The judge who signed the order should be interviewed. My guess is that they were lied to.

It is absolutely frightening that it would take a news agency to make a DA do the correct thing. A dirty cop all the way at the top no surprises there though.

Good hardworking business being shaken down by cops several states away is still terrifying.

The buyer ignored the seller for 9 months!!! He tried contacting him several times!! The pastor is a good man!!

Genuinely amazingly good journalism. It's so insanely refreshing to see real professional work.

The fact that he's still willing to fulfill the order speaks volumes about this man's character. We need more people like him around.

Just think if the sheriff did this on behalf of a friend, what else has he been doing to abuse his power. Everything involving him should be up for a review. Each case he has ordered or worked on needs to be looked at again. Cant trust a single thing he has done now. If i was someone charged with a crime by him I would have my lawyer immediately file for retrials and grounds for mistrial.

Of course the San Mateo DA wants to drop the charges- time to file a FEDERAL LAWSUIT against them all!

The Feds should come down like a hammer on these goons. This is a severe breach of authority across state lines.

The Batmobile builder's bank account is still FROZEN? That line was delivered at the very end ... that is barbarous! That should be released at the drop of the "criminal" case!

horrible horrible horrible misuse of justice. that sheriff needs to get locked up. Nobody should be able to impact an innocent person's livelihood in this way. Bank account frozen? smh.

What an embarrassment for law enforcement in San Mateo ! The DA office heads should roll! They approved the payment for the hotels, the meals, the flights of all those local law enforcement. The Atherton rich apparently can order the police to do their bidding .. Citizens should sue that realtor in atherton ! He used 10’s of thousands in local funds to attack a man in Indiana .. thank you Dan Noyes

Give credit to the thousands of people who emailed and such against this abuse of power by the Sheriff.

Thank god the DA watches TV and doesn't just take the Sheriff's word for it. Hey wait a minute, he did just take the Sheriffs word for it. Sounds like a corrupt county.

Good to see real investigative journalism. Holding government accountable is the most noble job of the press.

So the DA has to watch the news to find out whats going on in his county???

It’s civil! 110% the sheriff tried to make it look criminal but failed! The DA is not onboard with the Sheriff’s BS

Called off because they got caught with their hands in the cookie jar of abuse of power and were worried about discovery. Thank you for doing investigative reporting, this is what the news should be about.

Sounds like the DA is hiding something and needs to be investigated as well. How there are no criminal charges against the sheriff and officers sent, completely out of their jurisdiction, is beyond me. This is a clear abuse of power and corruption. And the sheriff needs to be recalled and held accountable for his actions. At the minimum false report charges need to be brought against the buyer.

The State Bar should get involved. Look into how the DA's office in being run. This stinks.

Corruption in that department! Thanks for reporting this!

We should be outraged at the miscarriage of justice ⚖️ How many other people got screwed by a corrupt sheriff's department and Court system I'm furious

How about Arrest the Sheriff and DA Hold them accountable

2:48 the messages were neither threatening nor harassing. They WERE calling him out for misusing the powers of his office to harass an honest law abiding citizen in another state, as a favour for a friend. This stinks of nepotism. How many other fans will have their cars delayed because the guy making them would have to pause to deal with this unjustified persecution? There should be some way to prosecute both the outgoing sheriff and his friend for conspiring to misuse the powers of government.

Law enforcement official in cahoots with disgruntled tycoon equals bad mojo. Freezing the assets of an innocent citizen. Sending detectives cross country to...what? arrest? subpoena?

All law enforcement involved, better be facing charges. Especially the women DA that told the reporter that the case moved forward because of additional evidence and she wouldn't comment about an on going investigation...... .'''REALLY'' PLEASE TELL US WHAT THAT EVIDENCE IS NOW . Prison better be awaiting these people.

The realtors lawyer is just as sleazy as he is, trying to claim fraud because he paid off the car but it's still not done. I personally would like to see the terms of the build contract, most custom shops like that usually the way things work is you put down a deposit and every so many months or so you get updates and if happy with the progress you make another payment to continue the work. No shop will build a $200k+ car and wait until it is done for full payment. He missed a scheduled payment installment and then flaked off for over half a year and only after finding out his car was pulled out of cue did he pay off the balance. Sorry bub but that doesn't magically get you put back in front, you broke your end of the contract and now you have to pay the penalty of waiting until it's your turn again.

The sheriff abused his authority by flying and lodging his deputies in Indiana as a personal favor to his rich friend who ordered one of the Batmobiles, but stopped making payments on it and was moved to the end of the waiting list.

Honestly this reporter needs a award or something for his report.

Cool, when do they get rid of everyone in the DA's office? They went forward with this because they're either incompetent or corrupt. Maybe both.

"Considers" how they can drop charges and silently sweep this gross mistake under the carpet to prevent a counter charge. I'd like to see charges go against the buyer for false claims and wasting police resources to start with. This story better continue to be reported on.