A California couple was arrested after unknowingly purchasing a stolen car, NBC News reported.
Farrah Johnson and Tom Louscher of Orange County bought the used 2001 BMW from a dealership, and everything seemed to be in order. The car was clean and in good condition with only 135,000 miles on it, and the dealer gave them a month-long warranty.
"I was all excited to have this nice BMW," Johnson said. "It seemed like a good price for the mileage ... [the dealer] made it seem all legit."
The couple, who found the deal on Craigslist, filled out a three-page contract, paid $3,700 in cash and drove their newly purchased vehicle until they were pulled over by police.
The car was reportedly stolen out of Inglewood, Calif. When the couple returned to the dealership where they had purchased it, they found an "empty husk of a shop," according to NBC News.
"All cleared up except for some stacked rims and tires when it was a complete business days before," Louscher said.
Apparently the Lakewood dealership, ODG Auto Sales, wasn't registered with the state, and the salesman couldn't be found. If the couple had insisted on getting a pink slip, the problem could have been avoided, experts say. The pair said the salesman was going to mail it after he straightened out some paperwork problems.
"He seemed like a nice guy. It seemed professional," Johnson said.
Ramon Vladimir Torres Quiroz, who sold the BMW to the couple, said he has sold 200 cars in the past year with only five complaints.
"Don't judge me yet," Quiroz told NBC News.
He plans to give the couple a refund as soon as possible.
"I'm working on it," he said. "As soon as I get the money, I'll get them their money back."
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