State police have filed nearly 1,700 charges, including 44 felonies, against a Bedford County car dealership owner who allegedly failed to pay taxes, sold cars with outstanding liens and defrauded customers who bought warranties.

Police accused Anthony Charles Roy, 52, of 14 Gephart Ave., Bedford – owner of the former Tony Roy Auto Sales in Everett – of a litany of crimes, some committed against the state and others against customers and financial companies.

In a news release, a state trooper said Roy didn’t transfer sales tax on dozens of car purchases and altered cars’ purchase prices to avoid paying full tax.

Twenty-eight cars sold at Roy’s dealership still had liens held by financial companies, police said; the liens allegedly totaled nearly $219,000.

In 21 cases, police said, customers bought warranties or gap insurance policies on their cars, but Roy allegedly didn’t file the warranties with the car companies, instead pocketing the money and leaving the customers without coverage.

Roy’s attorney, David Axinn of Hollidaysburg, declined to comment in detail but said Roy’s business has closed since he made the alleged deals.

“I can say that he had a business which, unfortunately, had financial problems and ended up closing. He has been trying to get everyone paid and intends to get everyone paid,” Axinn said.

Police filed the charges Dec. 2 and apprehended Roy on Monday. He remains in the Bedford County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to court documents, and faces a preliminary hearing Dec. 17.

Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.