Police busted a man running an illegal taxi service early Saturday morning, after receiving several tips from witnesses.

Covington Police officers were watching the area of The Depot Bar and Grill after getting information that 25-year-old Dustin Adam Hatcher was charging for rides. They spotted the vehicle described as Hatcher's and attempted to follow it, but Hatcher reportedly made "several elusive maneuvers," trying to loose the patrol car.

However, officers were eventually able to watch as Hatcher let a man out of his vehicle in front of the bar and speak to a group istanding there before letting three females and a male into his SUV and leaving the bar once more. Officers attempted to follow him again but he pulled into the QuickTrip and parked. After several minutes he pulled out again, crossed Emory Street and stopped at Checkers. Officers finally stopped Hatcher on Turner Lake Road next to Zaxby's.

Tipsters had told officers that Hatcher instructed his passengers to tell authorities that they were all friends and he was giving them a ride home, should he ever be stopped. So officers had all passengers get out of the SUV before questioning anyone.

Three of the four passengers stuck with the cover story. But one woman told officers that Hatcher was charging them $20 for a ride home as taxi fare.

When officers confronted Hatcher he reportedly admitted to running a taxi service without a license and charging $20 for a ride home. He was arrested and charged with certificate of public convenience and necessity required and transported to the Newton County Detention Center.