Several car dealerships believe they were robbed by the same people
Auto thefts have become an issue in western Washington, especially at car dealerships. Several dealerships, including Legend Auto Sales, Interstate 5 Motors and Maxx Auto Plus, say they had cars stolen by the same two people, one of whom was caught on camera several weeks ago. These dealerships tell KIRO 7 that they believe the problem of auto theft is getting worse.
“They’re everywhere right now,” General Manager Bill Preston with Maxx Auto Plus said.
“It’s frustrating because we deserve to be heard like everybody else,” Legend Auto Sales General Manager Miguel Heredia said.
Heredia says the duo stole a 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat during store hours.
“He pulled the vehicle, the salesperson pulled the vehicle to show it. And when they went inside to get a permit to take a vehicle on a test drive, the person just jumped in the vehicle and drove off,” Heredia said.
He says one of the two involved stayed inside the vehicle they came in on.
Preston says the same duo stole a truck from his dealership several weeks ago as well. He says one of the frustrating parts of it all is that dealers incur high costs every time a car is stolen.
“You never know if it’s going to be something you want to turn to insurance, or it’s something that you’re going to get back and you have to fix out of pocket. Which can cost tens of thousands of dollars on the dealer to get it fixed or to auction it off and kind of wash their hands with it so they don’t have to deal with it again,” Preston said.
Both believe a contributing fact to the problem is a recent change in police legislation on how they can respond to these sort of thefts.
“I think the police need to be able to pursue these folks,” Preston said.
They both hope something changes sooner rather than later.
“We’re a family-owned dealership. We work hard every day like everybody else. But to have somebody come over and take something that’s not theirs, it’s just not right,” Heredia said.
The King County Sheriff’s Office tells KIRO 7 the case regarding Legend Auto Sales is still open.
