Thieves steal classic car from Cedar Rapids dealership

Thieves busted into a Cedar Rapids car dealership overnight and stole a classic car parked inside a garage, police said.

Officers were called to Hometown Auto Group, 748 Center Point Rd. NE, around 8:20 a.m. when an employee discovered the break-in. Police said it appears whoever broke inside used a rock to smash through a front window, and stole a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible.

Sgt. Robert Collins said the car was recovered in the are of Fourth Avenue and 15th Street SE in Cedar Rapids. It had some damage to it, he said.

"We actually found the car first, and we were in the process of seeing where it belonged when they called us," Collins said.

Owner James Santee II said the car and a 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo were parked inside the garage, with the keys inside. The employee arrived and first saw a gate damaged that leads to the back lot.

"Nothing looked like it was gone from the back," Santee said. "I said, 'Look in the garage.' I just had a feeling."

The employee found the Cutlass gone and the Monte Carlo running. Exhaust had filled the shop. Police said the suspect drove through the overhead garage door and then busted through the gate to the street.

Santee said the break-in happened sometime between 6 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday. He said the thieves ransacked his office, likely looking for keys, but did not find any cash because none is kept there.

Police said their guess is that the suspects wanted to take a joyride, since they quickly ditched the vehicle. Santee said he is confident police will locate the suspect or suspects.

"There are too many fingerprints in the car and here," Santee said. "We'll pick up the pieces and put it all back together. I'm not going to dwell on it."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at (319) 286-5491.