Officials of Johnson Ford have offered a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons who stole an expensive set of wheels and tires off a muscle car that was among the dealership’s inventory.
Ben Odom, sales manager for the local auto dealer, said thieves removed the wheels and tires from a 2017 Shelby GT 350 Mustang at some time between midnight Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday.
They apparently used a jack or a hydraulic lift to get the car off the ground, placed several lawn pavers under it while they removed the rims and rubber, then made off with the four-piece package, which Odom said is valued at “around $10,000.”
A check of the websites maintained by various dealerships and manufacturers indicates that the car itself is valued at around $55,000.
Odom said the bandits obviously possess some degree of automotive knowledge, along with a little nerve.
“Whoever it was, knew what they came after,” the sales manager said. “It is one of the cars we have for sale, and it was on the sales lot, right out by the road (Alabama Highway 21). Surely somebody saw something.”
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said Tuesday that the APD investigation into the theft is “ongoing.”
Anyone with information about the theft is urged to call Atmore PD at 251-368-9141 or Johnson Ford at 251-368-2135.