Dave Layson, owner of Layson’s Restorations, 3107 106th St. S., issued a statement Monday evening denying any wrongdoing.

“The investigation comes as the culmination of a long-running dispute between Layson’s and the Chrysler Corporation and is the result of competitor’s complaints about the market share Layson’s has been able to capture manufacturing long-discontinued parts for the collector car hobby,” the statement said.

Investigators searched Layson’s business Monday, looking into allegations the owner was selling forged Chrysler parts, from headlights to metal emblems, Lakewood assistant police chief Mike Zaro said.

Layson, who has not been charged in Pierce County, wrote in his statement that his company makes parts without the car maker’s trademark Pentastar logo and is “completely justified in so doing.” It was unclear if prosecutors in Pennsylvania have filed charges.

The parts are sold as reproductions ,and Layson’s Restorations has “bent over backwards to make the distinction clear because frankly, the new parts are far superior to the originals.” (To read Layson’s full response, visit blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime.)

Chrysler Corp. started investigating the business three years ago and tried to get Layson to stop selling the parts, Zaro said. He was also overcharging customers, they claimed.

Layson was arrested Saturday in Carlisle, Pa., after he allegedly sold phony parts to undercover officers, Pennsylvania television station, WGAL, reported. He posted $150,000 bail Monday.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime