At first, it looked like Darrel Kempf planned the perfect crime. The local car dealer vanished into thin air after police say he faked his own death and took off with millions. But now investigators have the upper hand.

After a year and a half, Pierce County prosecutors have enough evidence to file 14 felony charges against Kempf for theft and forgery. No longer a simple, non-criminal, missing person's case, he's now wanted in all 50 states.

"It will take awhile," said Pierce County detective Brian Stepp, "but I think sooner or later he will slip up just like everyone else does."

For 11 years, Kempf ran Triad Marketing, a used car lot in rural Pierce County. He purchased most of his stock at area car auctions, financing them through the auction houses. He also sold on consignment.

"He's been in the area for years and I thought he was trustworthy," said Paula Mortenson, who drove by his lot every day.

But in January of last year, investigators found Kempf's crashed car on a remote stretch of Pacific County coastline with a belt tied around the steering wheel, and no sign of Kempf.

"When this baby went off into the rocks, there was no one in it," said Maynard Barnum, who owns the tow business that pulled his car off the rocks."

Police ruled it was a staged scene, and Stepp doesn't mince words: "he faked his death."

Kempf disappeared, and so did a lot of money that was funneled through Triad Marketing on behalf of people who trusted Kempf to help repair their broken finances.

"I believe we're probably talking about three million dollars right now," said Greg Krueger, who loaned money to Kempf through Automotive Finance Corporation.

In an investigation that has lasted a year and a half, Stepp said none of the money has turned up.

"None at all," he said. "That was the weird part, too, even his wife doesn't know where the money was going."

But we know where it came from: Dozens of people like Paula Mortenson.

Mortenson is still paying for a truck she asked Kempf to sell in January of 2007, just before he disappeared.

"I'd say he was a snake," she said. "I don't know how he can look at himself every day, I really don't."

Kempf's business is now locked up tight, and there are no more clues to be found at the derelict car lot in Graham. But police know that time is now on their side.

"He needs to come back and pay the price," said Stepp. Investigators believe Kempf is still somewhere in the United States. They've issued a Crime Stoppers alert, and posted a $1,000 reward.

And now that charges have been filed, the statute of limitations will never run out.

"He should go to jail and think about everything he's done," said Mortenson, "because I'm sure he's leading the good life right now and he doesn't deserve the good life."

She and other victims can rest assured, if it takes 10, 15, or 20 years to find Darrel Kempf, felony charges will still be waiting for him.