Tweet
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/cri...eist/23182699/
MANKATO, Minn. - Usually crooks go out of their way to be inconspicuous.
The crew that targeted a classic and hot rod car dealership in Mankato early Monday did not take that tack, however. They broke into Unique Specialty and Classic Cars and stole a rare 1987 Buick Grand National worth nearly $40,000, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles and an abandoned Corvette in their wake.
Owner Jeremy Thomas says an employee discovered the theft around 7:45 a.m. Monday when he showed up for work and found an overhead door open. The 1987 Buick Grand National and a convertible Corvette were gone, and other vehicles had been pushed out the door so the crooks could get the Buick out. Those cars, a 1934 Ford hot rod and a 1957 Chevy Coupe, rolled down a grade and smashed into other vehicles, causing damage to both.
Thomas said the Buick that was stolen was parked next to another Grand National, which fortunately had a dead battery and couldn't be started. Instead, the thieves took the 1975 Corvette, which was found in the parking lot of an apartment complex about half a mile down the road, the top down and the engine still running.
Surveillance tape shows three men with hooded jackets showing up in the lot around 4 a.m. and wandering around the business for about 45 minutes before breaking a window to gain entrance. It took just 3 minutes from the time they got inside to drive away in the Buick and the Corvette.
Right now Thomas says the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department is chasing a few leads, but he is sure the culprits will be found. "I'm confident we're gonna get em', " he said. "It's just a matter of time."
Thomas has swamped social media with news about the theft and pictures of his missing car, which has just over 3,600 miles on it. He has also been in contact with brokers, car clubs and collectors, and says there is no way the thieves could move this vehicle without it ending up on his radar, or that of authorities. Without a title it is extremely difficult to get it out of the country, so Thomas says the only way these guys could make money on their crime would be to chop the Buick and sell it for parts.
Anyone who knows who is behind this crime, or where the Buick Grand National may be is asked to call the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office at 507-304-4801.
The crew that targeted a classic and hot rod car dealership in Mankato early Monday did not take that tack, however. They broke into Unique Specialty and Classic Cars and stole a rare 1987 Buick Grand National worth nearly $40,000, leaving a trail of damaged vehicles and an abandoned Corvette in their wake.
Owner Jeremy Thomas says an employee discovered the theft around 7:45 a.m. Monday when he showed up for work and found an overhead door open. The 1987 Buick Grand National and a convertible Corvette were gone, and other vehicles had been pushed out the door so the crooks could get the Buick out. Those cars, a 1934 Ford hot rod and a 1957 Chevy Coupe, rolled down a grade and smashed into other vehicles, causing damage to both.
Thomas said the Buick that was stolen was parked next to another Grand National, which fortunately had a dead battery and couldn't be started. Instead, the thieves took the 1975 Corvette, which was found in the parking lot of an apartment complex about half a mile down the road, the top down and the engine still running.
Surveillance tape shows three men with hooded jackets showing up in the lot around 4 a.m. and wandering around the business for about 45 minutes before breaking a window to gain entrance. It took just 3 minutes from the time they got inside to drive away in the Buick and the Corvette.
Right now Thomas says the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Department is chasing a few leads, but he is sure the culprits will be found. "I'm confident we're gonna get em', " he said. "It's just a matter of time."
Thomas has swamped social media with news about the theft and pictures of his missing car, which has just over 3,600 miles on it. He has also been in contact with brokers, car clubs and collectors, and says there is no way the thieves could move this vehicle without it ending up on his radar, or that of authorities. Without a title it is extremely difficult to get it out of the country, so Thomas says the only way these guys could make money on their crime would be to chop the Buick and sell it for parts.
Anyone who knows who is behind this crime, or where the Buick Grand National may be is asked to call the Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office at 507-304-4801.
Comment