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Town manager suspended after stepson activates blue lights at school

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — The stepson of Bessemer City’s town manager was charged with activating the blue lights of a car at a school.

Gaston County police filed the report Monday morning against Noah Cartagena, 18.

The town council suspended the town manager for two days without pay Tuesday after the charges.

Police told Eyewitness News reporter Ken Lemon that City Manager James Inman was a reserve officer for the Bessemer City Police Department and had an unmarked Ford Explorer.

Inman's stepson’s car broke down, and Inman let Cartagena drive the SUV Thursday and Friday to Piedmont Charter School in Gastonia.

A resource officer saw blue lights flashing in the parking lot Friday morning and discovered that Cartagena had the car on campus.

Officers charged Cartagena with possession and operation of blue lights after meeting with the district attorney Monday morning.

Police told Lemon that it is a violation for anyone who is not an officer to use or possess blue lights. However, they said Inman will not be charged.

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