Dallas police say a car dealer who finances his own sales has a pattern of illegally repossessing cars from buyers, including one Tesla that was “called in as repossessed six different times” in a single year.
The dealership is 101 Financial, LLC, off Joe Field Road and Harry Hines Boulevard, and its owner, Rafat Abu Alfilat, disputes the allegations, according to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth.
The lot offers in-house financing, so the dealer holds the title until a car is paid off. That also means the dealer decides when a car gets taken back.
Repossessed for “No Insurance”—With Insurance
Billy and Jaszmyne Lyons bought a 2019 Tesla from the lot in March 2025, paying $5,000 down on a car valued at $18,200. According to an arrest warrant, it was repossessed for violating the financing contract with “no insurance.”
Dallas police say the couple “had valid insurance and provided that documentation.”
“We put the money down and we worked hard for it,” Billy Lyons said. The family had to spend more money on another car after the Tesla was taken.
Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas. Image Credit: formulanone from Huntsville, United States via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
$206,941 in Alleged Thefts
The warrant says a detective “can prove a pattern” of illegal repossessions from multiple people, and police put the total value of the alleged vehicle thefts at $206,941.75. A police affidavit linked to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles cites more than 27 complaints against Abu Alfilat over repossessions.
A felony theft warrant was issued in April 2025, along with a felony aggravated assault warrant alleging that he punched a man and swung a hammer at him during an argument over a repossessed car.
No charges have been filed. Dallas police said “formal charges are still pending due to the vast amount of people affected,” and the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said the case “is being reviewed for possible prosecution.” The criminal case hasn’t moved in about 18 months, FOX 4 reported, and the dealership is still open with an active license.
The Dealer’s Side
Abu Alfilat declined an on-camera interview, but told FOX 4 the disputes are civil matters, not crimes. His attorney didn’t immediately respond.
Regional manager Kendral Pickett said customers get upset about repossessions and that the owner is being targeted because the lot finances buyers without strict requirements. “They’re just targeting him because they see that he’s out here doing stuff that a lot of dealerships isn’t doing,” Pickett said.
The TxDMV said it has active cases involving the dealership and can impose civil penalties if violations are confirmed.
“Please do your research on that car lot,” Jaszmyne Lyons said.
A buyer in another state recently lost a used car to repossession over the previous owner’s debt.