2 Busted In Alleged Test Drive Scam

FERNDALE (WWJ) - Two 31-year-old men have been arrested after police say they ran a scam at a local car dealership.

According to Ferndale police, Alvin Harris and Bruce Rutledge asked to take a car from the Suburban dealership on Woodward Avenue out for a test drive. The dealership called police because the two men matched the description of a pair of thieves who had previously stolen a test vehicle.

Officers arrested the men after a brief chase.

Police said both Harris and Rutledge have extensive criminal histories including several felony convictions.

Harris was set to be arraigned on Thursday on the felony charge of identity theft, for using another's id to take the car for a test drive.

Rutledge is charged with resisting arrest.

Both are being investigated for several similar thefts of vehicles involving similar scams that occurred at Metro Detroit auto dealerships.