Buying your first car is supposed to be an exciting milestone, but one California teenager says her dream purchase quickly turned into a legal nightmare. LA Times reports that what began as a routine dealership transaction ultimately led to an arrest, felony charges, and a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Deja Bush purchased a Hyundai Elantra from Russell Westbrook Hyundai of Anaheim in March 2023 when she was 18 years old. After signing the sales contract, she drove away believing she had successfully purchased her first vehicle.
According to her lawsuit, the dealership later attempted to unwind the deal after failing to secure financing. When Bush refused to return the car, the dispute escalated beyond a contractual disagreement and into a criminal investigation.
Now, the City of Anaheim has agreed to pay Bush $250,000 to settle her lawsuit, although the city continues to deny any wrongdoing. Bush’s separate lawsuit against the dealership remains pending.
A Deal That Quickly Fell Apart
According to court filings, Bush legally purchased the Hyundai Elantra and signed the necessary paperwork before taking delivery.
Her attorneys allege the dealership later discovered it could not secure financing for the purchase. They argue the sales contract allowed the dealership to cancel the agreement only if it notified Bush within 10 days, but that notice allegedly did not arrive until approximately 20 days after she had taken possession of the vehicle.
After reviewing the contract with her family, Bush refused to return the Elantra because she believed the dealership had missed the deadline required under the agreement.
Police Became Involved
The dealership initially attempted to recover the vehicle without police involvement, according to the lawsuit. It later contacted the Anaheim Police Department and reported the car as stolen.
Court documents allege one responding officer initially questioned whether the matter was actually criminal, suggesting it appeared to be a contractual dispute rather than an auto theft. Bush’s attorney says that conclusion is supported by body-camera footage.
The lawsuit further alleges the vehicle was entered into California’s Stolen Vehicle System after the dealership claimed Bush had misrepresented her income during the purchase process.
Arrested at Her New Job
Bush’s ordeal escalated when Pomona police located both her and the vehicle on the same day the stolen vehicle alert was issued. She was arrested at her workplace in front of coworkers and supervisors, while officers seized the Hyundai.
Prosecutors charged her with felony receiving stolen property and unlawfully taking a vehicle, offenses that carried the possibility of prison time if she had been convicted.
Bush says the arrest cost her her job because she no longer had transportation for the lengthy commute and work-related responsibilities.
Although she initially expected the criminal case to be dismissed quickly, she later became increasingly concerned as the charges remained active for months. Prosecutors ultimately dismissed all criminal charges in January 2025.
Lawsuit Claims Rights Were Violated
Bush later filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Anaheim, alleging officers acted improperly by effectively serving as repossession agents for the dealership in what should have been a civil contract dispute.
The complaint also alleges false information was entered into the stolen vehicle database, including claims linking Bush and the Elantra to a violent crime involving a firearm. Bush has denied those allegations, saying they were completely fabricated and that no such incident ever occurred.
Her attorneys also alleged Russell Westbrook Hyundai had reported more than a dozen vehicles stolen under similar circumstances since 2021. They further claimed Anaheim police regularly intervened in dealership disputes that should instead have been resolved through civil legal channels. Those allegations have not been proven in court.
Anaheim Settles While Denying Wrongdoing
Following closed-session discussions by the Anaheim City Council, the city agreed to pay Bush $250,000 to settle the lawsuit. Despite the settlement, Anaheim has not admitted liability. Court filings from the city’s attorneys maintained that officers acted within the scope of their duties and argued that Bush’s alleged damages resulted from her own actions.
Bush’s attorney said the settlement sends an important message that law enforcement should not become involved in private contractual disputes between dealerships and customers. He also expressed hope that the agreement would help bring some closure for his client, while acknowledging that the experience may permanently affect her trust in car dealerships.
Bush’s lawsuit against Russell Westbrook Hyundai of Anaheim is still pending, meaning additional legal proceedings related to the dealership have yet to be resolved.
Do you think police should ever become involved in dealership financing disputes, or should those disagreements remain strictly civil matters? Was the $250,000 settlement appropriate given the circumstances, and should dealerships face tougher consequences if they report vehicles as stolen during contract disputes? Let us know where you stand in the comments.