Thieves strike BMW dealership, six cars stolen

http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/crime/6-bmws-stolen-from-darien-dealership#.UDd6vqAi5kg

6 BMW's stolen from Darien dealership

DARIEN, Conn. (AP) — Darien police are investigating the theft of six BMWs with a total value of more than $400,000.

Police say the vehicles were stolen from a dealership on Ledge Road. The theft is believed to have occurred early Thursday morning.

Police say the BMW dealership building was burglarized and the suspects gained access to a gated lot. The stolen vehicles include five BMW SUVs and one sedan. Police have notified the Statewide Auto Theft Task Force.

The vehicles have not been recovered and no arrests were made.

Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near BMW of Darien is encouraged to contact the Darien detective division at 203-662-5330.

I'm guessing they are already in cargo containers...

Yup. Africa or South America is my guess.

They'll probably be in twelve containers. The customs guys down in Chucktown found a couple of cars which had been cut in half, then the halves put in different containers. That way they didn't weigh as much as one car, throw the dogs off the scent. When they got where they were going (Guatemala IIRC) they'd weld them back together and paint them, done.

Well, you know it wasn't any of us on this board because the article would read... "The thieves passed by the new inventory and stole six wholesale trade ins from the late eighties and early nineties. Authorities estimate the losses at less than $2012."

hrdlydangerous wrote: Well, you know it wasn't any of us on this board because the article would read... "The thieves passed by the new inventory and stole six wholesale trade ins from the late eighties and early nineties. Authorities estimate the losses at less than $2012."

That's 'Say What?' material if I ever saw it.

hrdlydangerous wrote: Well, you know it wasn't any of us on this board because the article would read... "The thieves passed by the new inventory and stole six wholesale trade ins from the late eighties and early nineties. Authorities estimate the losses at less than $2012."

LOL

Curmudgeon wrote: They'll probably be in twelve containers. The customs guys down in Chucktown found a couple of cars which had been cut in half, then the halves put in different containers. That way they didn't weigh as much as one car, throw the dogs off the scent. When they got where they were going (Guatemala IIRC) they'd weld them back together and paint them, done.

Geeeeez I would totally pay big money for a new BMW that's been cut in half and welded back together!! Where do I sign up?? (Internet sarcasm here).

Feedyurhed wrote: Where do I sign up?? (Internet sarcasm here).

South of the border, amigo.

Why go to that trouble, no more chop shops in Bridgeport?

Well you know the thief is still looking for that 1967 Shelby GT500 before he can complete the order, so they may still be able to catch him.

hrdlydangerous wrote: Well, you know it wasn't any of us on this board because the article would read... "The thieves passed by the new inventory and stole six wholesale trade ins from the late eighties and early nineties. Authorities estimate the losses at less than $2012."

LOL!

I've heard that the Dominican Republic is also a popular destination.

If the vehicle is stolen by a professional group the destination market is largely determined by where it is stolen. I cant speak for east coast, but in most of Texas the expatriation of stolen vehicles (mainly Chevy/GMC, Ford, and Dodge pickups) are controlled by Mexican organized crime. The vehicles tend to go to Mexico strangely enough, but I have seen some go to Guatemala or the DR with shipping through Houston.

BMW SUVs.......if only they'd ALL get stolen and shipped overseas.

That said, they'll turn up. Modern BMWs don't go long before needing to visit a dealer.

Feedyurhed wrote:

Curmudgeon wrote: They'll probably be in twelve containers. The customs guys down in Chucktown found a couple of cars which had been cut in half, then the halves put in different containers. That way they didn't weigh as much as one car, throw the dogs off the scent. When they got where they were going (Guatemala IIRC) they'd weld them back together and paint them, done.

Geeeeez I would totally pay big money for a new BMW that's been cut in half and welded back together!! Where do I sign up?? (Internet sarcasm here).

When you pay in bricks of cocaine, do you ask for the Carfax?

I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

tr8todd wrote: I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often.

It would be fairly easy to figure out where the key box is, break in and grab all the numbered keys. Somebody knows something, though...

The TV report mentioned "all the customers involved...", so it sounds as if at least some of them were used, which would make it even easier to hide them.

That same article from Charleston mentioned that a big percentage of stolen luxury cars nationwide wind up in Central and South America. But another big target was school buses. There was a church somewhere that had a bus stolen, it turned up in Belize of all places.

Datsun1500 wrote: In reply to Curmudgeon: I'd just tell the church that god wanted the bus in Belize. That's how the church usually justifies stuff....

you win

Curmudgeon wrote: They'll probably be in twelve containers. The customs guys down in Chucktown found a couple of cars which had been cut in half, then the halves put in different containers. That way they didn't weigh as much as one car, throw the dogs off the scent. When they got where they were going (Guatemala IIRC) they'd weld them back together and paint them, done.

They are not that ambitious. 90% of the time it is across the border and onto a ship in one piece.

hrdlydangerous wrote: Well, you know it wasn't any of us on this board because the article would read... "The thieves passed by the new inventory and stole six wholesale trade ins from the late eighties and early nineties. Authorities estimate the losses at less than $2012."

Funniest thing I've read in a long time...you made my day, sir!