- A Camaro was stolen from owner’s home, recovered, then stolen again days later.
- The thief reportedly drove away from the dealership pretending to be technician.
- Woman who bought the car says her son won’t keep it even if it’s recovered intact.
A Maryland family is living through what sounds suspiciously like a side mission from Grand Theft Auto after an $80,000 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 gifted to a recent graduate was stolen, recovered, and then stolen all over again just days later.
The car belonged to the son of Mimi Arnett, who, along with the young man’s father, bought the supercharged Camaro as a graduation present after he earned his third degree from the University of Maryland. Yes, third degree. Also yes, $80,000 Camaro. Some people get a card and dinner. Others get a supercharged V8.
Related: Teen Flaunts Stolen Lamborghini Online Before A 16-Hour Joyride Takes A Wrong Turn
The trouble started over Memorial Day weekend when the Camaro disappeared from outside the family’s home in Beltsville, Maryland. Fortunately, that chapter wrapped up quickly when the car was located abandoned on a nearby street and recovered by authorities.
After police finished processing the Chevy, it was transported to the AutoNation dealership where it had originally been purchased so it could be checked over. That’s where things took a turn from ordinary theft story to outright farce. According to Arnett, the dealership called her two days later with some unexpected news.
“[The dealer] said, ‘Ms. Arnett, where’s the car?’ I said, excuse me? The car is with you guys,” Arnett recalled in an interview with News4 Washington, whose coverage of the original theft helped in the car’s recovery.
“She said ‘We have checked the whole lot. The car is gone. It’s been stolen again.’ My heart dropped.”
Taken In Broad Daylight
It gets better, or worse, depending on your perspective. Arnett says an employee actually witnessed the theft unfold but assumed everything was normal.
“He said he thought it was a technician that was taking my son’s car, pulling it out to go into the garage to start the inspection of the car,” Arnett said. “He said he’d actually seen the guy come on the lot, get in the car, and drive off.”
At this point, Arnett thinks the Camaro may be attracting a little too much attention. Even if the car turns up again, she says her son won’t be keeping it.
“His safety is number one,” said the woman who’d bought her son a tire-smoking, 650 hp (658 PS) V8-powered, 200 mph (320 kmh) muscle car. “We’re going to put him in something where he’s safe.”
