(Reuters) - On Monday David Cross, 42, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, and his wife ……………….. (buy) a van at the Portsmouth Used Car Superstore, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
His mechanic quickly ………………………..(find) a variety of problems with the van and …………………………………..(advise) him to return it to the dealer. But the business …………………………… (refuse) to take back what Cross said was a "lemon"
After the dealership ……………………………..(close) on Tuesday, Cross ………………………… (return) at midnight and …………………………………….. (use) his van to smash into seven vehicles on the dealer's lot, including a Mercedes C300 and a Ford Mustang. He ……………………………….. (cause) damage initially estimated at $20,000.
Then he ………………………… (leave) his van behind and ……………………………….. (cross)
the street to where a police cruiser ………………………….. ( be parked).
He ……………………… (report) the incident and ………………………… (lead) an officer back to the wrecks.
After his arrest, Cross …………………………. (be released). On September 19 he …………………………….. (go) back to Portsmouth District Court, police said.
Editor's note:
The Portsmouth Herald on Thursday night received the
following e-mail from a person identifying himself as Gary McGilvray, sales manager of Portsmouth Used Car Superstore:Dear Customers, Friends, Family and Associates:
You may have heard of vandalism at Portsmouth Used Car Superstore on July 19, involving David Cross.
Portsmouth Used Car Superstore would like to clarify what happened.
Mr. Cross' spouse purchased an 11-year-old van with over 100,000 miles on July 18. The van was a recent trade-in scheduled to be disposed of at auction. The buyer purchased the vehicle "as is," with a salvage title and signed an "unsafe motor vehicle form," as well as several other required documents indicating the vehicle was unsafe, uninspected and "as is." The purchaser declined to have her mechanic inspect the vehicle. The price was reflective of the condition and was equivalent to what the vehicle would have sold for at auction.
David Cross became unhappy with the purchase decision the following day. Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, he admitted to driving the van into six vehicles parked on our lot. David Cross is being charged with six felonies and has admitted guilt.
Portsmouth Used Car Superstore is a reputable and trustworthy local dealer. A large majority of our retail vehicles come with a six-month, 6,000-mile warranty and a three-day exchange policy. "As is" sales are a small percentage of our sales, and all "as is" buyers are informed the vehicle is not state inspected and is being sold as an unsafe motor vehicle.
Portsmouth Used Car Superstore has been in business for almost 15 years and has more than 10,000 happy customers. We truly appreciate our customers and our community, and strive to make our customers completely satisfied. We appreciate your continued business, and the numerous e-mails and phone calls supporting our staff and business.
The Portsmouth Used Car Superstore Team
Since the Herald published Cross' story on Wednesday, it's been retold through news wire services and by print, online and television news outlets, including Drudge Report. As a result of that coverage, "reporters have been knocking on my door all day," Cross said Thursday.
Through www.cafepress.com, fans have designed a T-shirt in Cross' honor, while suggesting the proceeds should go to a fund to cover Cross' legal costs. On the front is an image of Cross, adapted from his police mug shot, and his quote: "I was pretty crazy last night." On the back is an image of a lemon and the words, "worship the Cross."
A Facebook page has been started in support of Cross https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dave-Cross-Worship-The-Cross/193278047397304
adapted from Reuters and CTWatchdog
