> Re: the pay up or she goes to jail concept :
>
> The modern world has abolished debtor's prison's so that is not an
> option from a civil court.  And while what she did could be prosecuted
> as theft of some sort, that doesn't necessarily get the mechanic his
> money.

You're thinking inside the lawyer box...

This is likely a lower class, poor woman... she doesn't know the law or have
the money to hire a lawyer... I'm thinking that just the threat of going to
the police now that she has been caught is likely enough to get the mechanic
something.... better to get something (like maybe the engine back?), cut
your losses, and learn your lessons that to get nothing or even go through
the full legal process for only a couple of thousand dollars..

Bill