Bradenton auto shop owner argued with a customer. Then he pulled a gun, deputies say

A dispute with an unsatisfied customer ended in arrest for the owner of Danny's Auto Body Shop on Tuesday afternoon.

The trouble started outside of the business, located in the 4800 block of 15th Street East, where deputies say the owner, Dani Santos-Villatoro, 32, got into an argument with a customer over a paint job.

The customer had agreed to pay $500 for the work but was not happy with the scratches and two different colors of paint found on the vehicle, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Santos-Villatoro then went inside "as if he were done talking about it." The victim said he waited 10 minutes before going into Santos-Villatoro's office to discuss it further.

"Why did you leave me outside? Let's talk about this like men," the victim said to Santos-Villatoro, according to the affidavit.

That was when the shop owner allegedly jumped out of his chair toward the victim, "as if he were going to attack him." The victim said he pushed Santos-Villatoro with the flat of his hand.

Then, Santos-Villatoro went to his desk and grabbed a silver automatic handgun, the affidavit says. The victim said he tried to grab the Santos-Villatoro's hand to protect himself, but the Santos-Villatoro freed himself and pointed the gun at the victim's head.

The victim signed a sworn affidavit stating he was afraid he was going to be shot. A witness related to Santos-Villatoro said he entered the office when Santos-Villatorowas pointing the gun at the victim. The witness later retracted his statement and deputies say the handgun was never found.

Santos-Villatoro remains in custody at the Manatee County Jail without bond.

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This story was originally published June 27, 2018 at 10:46 AM.