How a Car Salesman Allegedly Kidnapped During a Test-Drive Escaped
Police said the suspect allegedly told the salesman he was being kidnapped.
— -- A California car salesman was in for the ride of his life after a customer test-driving the vehicle tried to steal it with him in it, police said.
The salesman, from a dealership in Concord, California, 30 miles northeast of San Francisco, was on a test drive with a customer on Monday, according to the Concord Police Department. The dealership, Lehmer's Concord Buick GMC, made a copy of the suspect's driver's license before leaving, according to ABC station KGO in San Francisco.
During the test drive, investigators say, the customer told the salesman that he was stealing the GMC Savana Conversion van, according to KGO.
When the car reached the city of Pittsburg, about 10 miles away from Concord, "the victim was able to escape from the suspect by getting out of the car while it was stopped" and called the police, according to the Concord Police Department. The salesman is shaken up but okay, KGO reported.
The suspect fled the area and was later apprehended by Antioch Police Department, Concord Police said. There was a police chase that ended in a crash, KGO reported. Lehmer's Concord Buick GMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from ABC News.
Concord Police and Antioch Police did not immediately respond to a request for additional information from ABC News.
"The suspect was arrested and later transported to County jail for kidnapping, resisting arrest and for stealing a car," Concord Police said Monday. "The suspect’s identity has not been confirmed at this time and we are unable to release any identifying information. This is still an on-going investigation and no additional information will be released to the public at this time."
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