Crime & Safety
A Dozen Cars Stolen from Dealership Near Hayward
Auto World Motors on Mission Boulevard is victim of car theft.
By Bay City News Service
A dozen cars were stolen from a used car lot in unincorporated Hayward early Monday morning, an Alameda County sheriff's spokesman said.
The 12 cars, all mostly foreign makes and older models, were taken sometime between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Monday from Auto World Motors at 21572 Mission Blvd., just north of the Hayward border, according to sheriff's spokesman Sgt. J.D. Nelson.
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As many as four suspects kicked in the dealership door and found the box with the car keys and drove off with the vehicles, Nelson said.
One car, a Jaguar, was recovered nearby where the suspects appeared to have deserted it when it ran out of gas, Nelson said.
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Auto World Motors employee David Zazai said this morning that the loss is estimated at $200,000.
"You don't expect something like this to happen," he said.
He said the car lot is a family business that opened about three years ago.
"This is our life," he said.
He said other nearby car dealer owners are now scared.
Damage to the business included broken doors, locks and trampled offices from what appeared to be a messy search for the key box, Zazai said.
He said the business is open but with so much of the inventory gone, it is affecting sales.
Although the business already has surveillance, an alarm system and a gate around the car lot, he said the owners are considering beefing up security measures.
Nelson said authorities are investigating the theft. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the business and know there are three or four suspects involved.
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