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CULLMAN – The Cullman Police Department says vehicle break-ins and thefts seem to be on the rise in the area.
Lt. Gene Bates said that since November, at least four high-end vehicles have been stolen from area car dealerships. He said all four, and possibly a fifth, appear to be the work of the same person or group of people.
“There are lots of similarities in the kinds of vehicles taken. We believe they’re all related,” said Bates. “These are brand new, and in almost all of the cases, top-of-the line vehicles. They have all the bells and whistles.”
According to Bates, the stolen vehicles range in value from around $30,000 to more than $70,000.
Dealerships hit include Cullman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Mitch Smith Chevrolet and Bill Smith Buick GMC.
However, Bates said, “It’s not a unique thing to Cullman. It’s our belief this is a professional-type theft ring.”
Bates said similar thefts have happened across the state, and the dealerships’ insurance companies are aiding the department in making the connections. “We’re working with the insurance companies for the dealerships. They may insure other dealerships in other parts of the state and have similar claims reported, and they let us know that.”
As far as thefts from private citizens, Bates said there have been two cars stolen in the city recently, and those thefts were completely unrelated to the ones at the dealerships.
“Both were recovered,” he said. “In almost every case I can think of, the keys were left in the vehicle. Probably, it was people out looking to break into vehicles. The doors are opened, and they get in to see what they can find, and they find the keys.”
The two recovered vehicles had no damage. One was located by a patrol officer and one by the owner.
Bates had two pieces of advice for residents: “Please take the keys out of the ignition. Please lock the doors,” he said. “If people would do those two things right there, it would cut down on a lot of thefts.”
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