New Orleans, LA - Two Unmarked New Orleans Police Cars Stolen From Fenced In Building - Forklift Used To Break Hole In Fence

Thieves use forklift to steal unmarked New Orleans police cars from city lot

 The Times-Picayune
Friday June 12, 2009, 12:38 PM

 

Thieves used a forklift, not unlike the one pictured here, to break into a repair lot Thursday and stole two unmarked police cars.Some especially brazen thieves broke into a New Orleans repair lot for city-owned cars and other vehicles last night, making off with two unmarked police cars.

The burglars apparently hopped the fence at the equipment maintenance facility on Alvar Street in the Desire neighborhood, said Bob Young, a spokesman for the New Orleans Police Department. Once inside, they managed to break into a building, snatching keys to two cars that belonged to the police department.

To get the cars out, the thieves used a forklift inside the compound to knock down the chained fence gates. They were then able to drive the cars out of the lot, Young said.

The theft occurred sometime between 5 p.m. on Thursday and 5 a.m. on Friday, the hours when the maintenance facility is closed, Young said. The facility is run by the city, making repairs to any vehicles that need work.

Once they got into one of the cars, a 2002 silver Ford Crown Victoria, the burglars would have known they were stealing a police vehicle, as the car came equipped with a removable blue light and siren, said Young. The other vehicle, a 2002 red Chevy Impala, did not have any police equipment.

The suspects also stole some tools, Young said. Police are asking for help locating the missing cars. The silver Crown Victoria has a Louisiana license plate KXT 918. The VIN number is 2FAFP71W22X129398.

The red Impala did not have a license plate. The VIN number is 2G1WF52E229287549.

People with information that could help solve the crime are asked to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822.1111 or 1.877.903.STOP(7867). Callers could receive a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to the arrest and indictment of the responsible people. They do not have to provide a name or testify to receive the award.
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