COVINGTON, Tenn. — State authorities raided a Covington auto dealership early Friday morning, towing more than 50 cars and emptying the lot.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Revenue served a warrant at McDivitt Motors on Highway 51 in Covington.
Martin McDivitt was charged with theft of over $10,000 and deceptive business practices, but those charges did not come from Tennessee.
Tipton County authorities said a police department in Illinois sent them an arrest warrant for McDivitt. He faces charges in Columbia, Illinois, accused of theft and deceptive business practices.
Authorities said he signed a bad check for $25,000 and took a Buick Enclave.
WREG spoke with one of McDivit’s customers, who said this does not sound like the man she knows.
“When we first moved here, money wasn’t great with us, and he was always nice to help me with automobiles,” customer Pam Johnson said. “For years, I always came to him. He was a nice person, helpful, people worked with him were helpful. I don’t know what’s happened, and I hate it for him because he’s a really nice person.”
We went to the McDivit home in Covington, but no one wanted to comment on the arrest.
We also reached out to the State of Tennessee to see what kind of investigation they’re carrying out, and we will provide updates.