High-Profile Car Heist at North County Ford

In a shocking incident, eight cars, including a rare 2023 Dodge Challenger Demon SRT 170 valued at $158,000, were stolen from the North County Ford dealership in Arab, Alabama. Investigators are piecing together the events surrounding this audacious crime. According to AL.com, two of the stolen vehicles—a Jeep Wagoneer and a Ford Bronco Raptor—have since been recovered. The Wagoneer was found near Blountsville, while the Bronco Raptor surfaced at an apartment complex in Bessemer.

The Method Behind the Heist

Although car dealerships typically employ rigorous security measures, the thieves managed to bypass North County Ford’s advanced camera systems and alarms. The operation began at 12:28 am on April 9, when the criminals used a rock to break a window in the service bay and gain access to the main building. Once inside, they disabled the security camera hub and erased several hours of footage, demonstrating a well-planned strategy.

Further complicating matters, the thieves plugged a laptop into the key safe and hacked it open, akin to a scene from a ’90s heist film. They stole 330 keys from the safe, placing them all in a bag. Thanks to modern vehicles’ keyless entry systems, they could simply start several cars and drive away.

All that was left behind as evidence was broken glass, discovered by the cleaning crew later that morning.

Consequences and Community Response

Following the theft, North County Dodge is engaging in the lengthy process of reprogramming replacements for all the stolen keys. The dealership even took to Facebook, offering a $10,000 reward for the keys’ return, “no questions asked.” This appeal signifies the desperate need to recover the stolen assets and maintain trust in their operations.

Ongoing Investigation

Local police, alongside the FBI, are actively investigating the case, searching for the remaining six stolen vehicles, including the coveted 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170. As popular culture may suggest, law enforcement is advised to check shipping docks or wrecking yards for leads involving the well-dressed criminals.

If you have any information that could assist police in their investigation, please reach out to the Arab police at (256) 586-8124.