Man buys police car on Craigslist, pulled over by officer in Chattanooga

A Chattanooga police officer found a lost police vehicle from Ellijay, Ga., police said.

The car's driver, Luke Ridings, 20, was charged with underage drinking, financial responsibility and driving an unregistered vehicle, Chattanooga police Sgt. Jerri Weary said in a news release. Ridings told police he bought the car on Craigslist for $4,000.

On Friday night, Officer Todd Clay saw a gray Ford Crown Victoria traveling along North Market Street. Clay saw the car had blue lights in the window and a front bumper guard but a personal license plate, Weary said.

When Clay stopped the car for improper registration, he discovered that the car had blue lights, a siren, a dash camera and mounted radar, Weary said.

Ellijay officials told Clay that the car was supposed to have been crushed by a towing company because it had electrical issues, but it was sold on Craigslist instead, Weary said.

Chattanooga police took possession of the car after Ridings' arrest, Weary said.

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