The Police department in Northern California are searching for suspects after protesters reportedly stole more than seventy (70) luxury cars from a dealership near San Francisco Sunday night.
Carlos Hidalgo, the owner of San Leandro Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership said, that although he blocked the exits as a precaution, the thieves “started ramming, ramming until they could get out. They took out chains and fence posts.
“You walk in and it's like a war zone," said Hidalgo. “It’s not a cause for anybody. This is just bad thieves. It’s horrible. This is domestic terrorism brought upon to people that work. That’s not right.”
He said he called police but they were too busy to respond to the dealership that night, SF Gate reported.
Looters separated themselves from peaceful protesters, who were in the Bay Area Sunday demanding justice after the death of George Floyd, first hitting a Nike clearance store across the street from the dealership.
Breaking into the showroom, the thieves gained access to the key lockbox and used the fobs to locate the cars.
Nearly all of the dealership’s $90,000 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats were stolen.
The thieves also stole Charger Hellcats, Jeep Wranglers and pickup trucks.
San Leandro Police Department Lt. Ted Henderson said he didn’t know if it was an opportunistic crime or if it was planned.
No arrests have been made but police are searching social media video of the crime and looking for surveillance video in the area to identify the suspects, he said.
Chief Jeff Tudor wrote in a statement posted on the department's Facebook page, "the events in Minneapolis have re-opened old, raw wounds and forced us to confront societal injustices that need to be addressed," “Those who peacefully protested have started that conversation. But those who have looted and stoked violence in our community are hurting that effort.”
Between 20 to 25 cars have been recovered, Henderson said, some damaged and others chopped for parts. "As we are getting them back, I've got cars without engines," Hidalgo said.
The dealership estimates it has lost $5 million in the thefts and plans to hire armed guards.
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