Pubdate: Sun, 06 Feb 2000
Source: Grand Rapids Press (MI)
Contact:  http://www.gr.mlive.com/
Author: Shandra Martinez, The Grand Rapids Press

SEIZED FERRARI NETS CITY $115,885 IN AUCTION

HOLLAND -- Holland has traded in a fast car for some fast cash.

A cherry red 1996 Ferrari convertible brought the city $115,885 when
it was sold to the highest bidder -- a Detroit area man -- at an
auction in Grand Rapids on Friday.

"I'm surprised it went that high," Police Chief John Kruithoff
said.

The car was seized from a Grand Rapids area man when he was pulled
over two years ago by Holland police.

A police officer found cocaine in the car.

The man later agreed to forfeit the car as part of his sentencing. The
city hasn't decided what to do with the money, but the chief said one
possibility is funding a new position in the police department.

The law requires that money made from drug-seizure properties be used
for drug education or drug enforcement, he said.

Despite a few pleas to keep the sports car as a DARE (Drug Awareness
Resistance Education) vehicle, city officials decided they would
rather have the money.

The Italian sports car wasn't suitable for the police motor pool
because maintenance is too costly, Kruithoff said.

The two-seater showed only 6,000 miles on the odometer. It came with a
few extras -- an expensive parts kit and matching seat and steering
wheel covers. Kruithoff said he was glad to have the expensive car out
of the police garage, where it was stored for months.

"I was scared somebody would drop something on it," he said.
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