In a heist that seems straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster, an Alabama auto dealership became the victim of a sophisticated theft that resulted in the loss of eight luxury vehicles and a staggering 330 keys, leaving the local community and car enthusiasts nationwide in shock. The audacious burglary at North Country Ford in Arab, Alabama, has left the local community and car enthusiasts nationwide in shock, as the total merchandise stolen exceeds $1.2 million, including a 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon valued at over $158,000.
Details of the event
The theft, which occurred over the weekend, was discovered when a cleaning crew noticed the aftermath of the break-in, including a rock used to shatter a window in the service bay, and the criminals’ method was nothing short of cinematic. Arab Police Chief Shane Washburn and his team are investigating the incident, which involved the thieves disabling the dealership’s camera system around 12:28 a.m. Sunday, using a computer to unlock the dealership’s key safe, erasing hours of surveillance footage in the process.
General Manager Greg Anthony, with over three decades in the auto business, expressed his disbelief at the scale of the theft, stating, ‘Not this big, nothing to the magnitude of this,’ and the dealership’s response included a social media plea offering a $10,000 cash reward for the return of the stolen keys, no questions asked. The post, shared on April 7, 2024, reflects the urgency to recover the keys and prevent further losses.
As of now, two of the stolen vehicles have been recovered—a Jeep Wagoneer near Blountsville and a Ford Bronco Raptor in a Bessemer apartment complex, but the whereabouts of the remaining six vehicles, including the prized Dodge Challenger Demon, remain unknown. The Demon, a limited production car with a push-button start, was driven right out of the dealership’s lobby, showcasing the thieves’ brazen confidence.
The impact of the theft
The impact of the theft extends beyond the missing vehicles, as the loss of 330 keys has crippled the dealership’s operations, with technicians and locksmiths working tirelessly to replace and reprogram keys for the remaining inventory. Anthony lamented the loss, emphasizing that ‘a thief is a thief’ and that no security measure is foolproof against determined criminals.
The Arab Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, is actively seeking information to crack the case, and the theft has also raised concerns about similar crimes at other dealerships across the state, suggesting a possible pattern or organized crime ring at work.
As the investigation continues, the auto industry and potential buyers are reminded of the ever-present threat of high-tech auto theft, and dealerships are encouraged to review their security protocols. Car enthusiasts are left to marvel at the audacity of the heist, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Arab police at (256) 586-8124, as the search for the remaining luxury vehicles persists.
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$1.2 million in vehicles, including $158,000 car, 330 keys taken from Alabama auto dealership
$1.2 million worth of vehicles, 330 keys stolen from Alabama auto dealership
$1.2 million worth of vehicles, 330 keys stolen from Alabama auto dealership
