Local News, Public Safety
Former Marion dealership owner says agents were looking for drugs
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 by Jeff Raasch.
Investigators search a shed adjacent to Hawkeye Auto, 4835 10th Ave., in Marion Wednesday. (Jeff Raasch/The Gazette)
Federal agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Internal Revenue Service searched two Marion car dealerships Thursday.
Hawkeye Auto, 4835 10th Ave., and Neal Motors, 2200 Seventh Ave., were both closed around 10 a.m. when search warrants were served. Bob Teig, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cedar Rapids, confirmed that warrants were executed but declined to answer further questions.
The investigators were looking for drugs, according to Paul Neal, who owned the businesses until selling them to his son, Terry, on Jan. 1.
“They’re not going to find anything,” Neal said. “We don’t sell drugs and never have. We sell cars and make a good living at it.”
The agents circulated around Hawkeye Auto, known for its bright yellow office on the main road through Marion, and also searched a large shed adjacent to the business. A Marion police K-9 unit dog was involved.
Neal, of Marion, said one of his employees called him when the investigators showed up with search warrants Thursday morning. They told Neal that the search was based on an informant’s tip in 2005.
“Somebody was mad at us, I guess,” Neal said.
Neal said the investigators seized records from both businesses and we’re searching through them. He wasn’t sure if the car lots would reopen Thursday.
“It’s not good for business,” Neal said. “When they don’t find anything, I bet they don’t apologize for it.”
No other information was immediately available.
you know what sucks if nothing comes out of this, the whole thing will smear this company name
Are you for fricking real? smear the name of Hawkeye auto? I think they did that to themselves MANY years ago. They are such a reputable comany right?
DEA is on scene and questions are being referred to the US Attorney's Office. The feds don't mess around, so you can be sure something is going to happen from this.
You don’t know what you’re talking about. I happen to know the owners and he is home safe and sound. Get your stories straight.
That's because b_rox is 100% wrong
Hawkeye Auto sells affordable cars at an affordable price. Don’t boo hoo just because all you losers can only afford $750 for a car and then complain because it only lasted you one year because you couldn’t afford to change the oil.
1-A lot of dealers will knock off on the price if you pay cash
2-There is no one in prison for gambling (i don’t even know how you came up with that one)
3-If there is something going on, how about you wait for it to unfold before making crazy accusations
4-Smartie is absoluty right. I have seen a ton of low lifes buy cars from there. They are the ones that buy a $500 car that most people would just use for parts, then get pissed off when they need a new car a year later.
5-b_rox……I’m sure whatever you said was the truth, because you were so right about them being in prison too.
Ain't that the truth. The gazette only wants happy smiling comments in this section. Nay sayers and truth tellers need not apply.
Betcha this post gets deleted too!!
Wasnt it just a couple years ago or something and I could be wrong but one of the neal bros got in a fight with the marion police or something like that or he was charged with shooting off a gun or some crap cant remember exactly but there was something there
He’s just saying that now their name has been tainted and it would be nice if they would say that concluding their investiogation, they have found that Hawkeye Auto was clean.
*yeah yeah- I know there are going to be nay sayers saying that their name has always been tainted*
Listen here: I checked my facts and then apologized it was cr cars not this place. Forward my comments to whomever you want nothing is going to come of it. My lemon statement was a joke. I know the law and nothing is going to happen you humorless individual it must be hard to go through life like that. From: IntenseDebate Notifications
Also I dont appreciate being threatened.
I have bought cars from Hawkeye for years it served the purpose they sold cheap cars at a price I can afford and no they were not the best but they served the purpose usually got decent service especially when Clint was there, However I bought a 4,000.00 car from them in January that has been a crap since I got it
oops hit submit too early I went in too talk to them about it being "As Is" and the little jerk that works there was exactly that I have no respect for them. Terry was in the next room and heard the conversation but did not even walk out…. I will never shop there again however I would have never thought of them being drug dealers
This is a public forum. You defamed and slandered Mr Neal in public. I don't know what will come of your slanderous statement. The Neals may be mad enough about this search issue that they may decide to take legal recourse against you. Like I said I have a copy and will give it to Mr Neal and let them decide. Good luck.