(CBS-DETROIT) Detroit police are on the hunt for a trio of thieves who were caught on camera stealing a catalytic converter from a car dealership.
Police say around 5 a.m. Thursday, three men crashed their truck into a pole at Govanni Used Cars in Detroit, allegedly used a Sawzall to cut through the car dealership’s iron fence, stole a catalytic converter and then quickly to drive away.
But the escape did not go so smoothly.
Video showed one of the men falling from the car as they tried to flee. According to police, the suspect’s gun fell onto the street when he got back into the car.
“They got away with a converter and a lot of shame,” says Kola Gjonaj, owner of Govanni Used Cars.
Gjonaj said when police saw the security footage, they were amazed at the thieves’ brazen attempt.
“We love the Detroit Police Department, they are great. But when they came to watch the video, they couldn’t help but laugh again and again,” Gjonaj said. “They kept saying, ‘Play it again, play it again. This is better than TV.’ It was hilarious.”
In addition to the 35 to 40 cameras at the dealerships, there were also several night watchmen at the company, and Gjonaj said he was glad they called the police quickly and didn’t get involved with the thieves, because it wouldn’t have been worth it to have a guard or even a thief who he thinks will get hurt.
He explained to me why the men were probably going after the catalytic converters.
“It has platinum in it, and they can take them to muffler shops, or they can take them to salvage yards and get anywhere from 125 to between $200, $300, 400 on a single converter,” Gjonaj said.
Govanni Used Cars has been in business on Tireman Ave in Detroit for over 37 years, and nothing like this has ever happened before.
As of Thursday afternoon, the company was repairing damage to the property, which amounted to between $2 and $3,000.
All three men are still on the run. Detroit police have confirmed they are investigating this incident.
