A WOMAN was left stunned after arriving at her car dealership to pick up her vehicle only to learn it had vanished – and it was not the first time.
Eula Archie, of Atlanta, Georgia, dropped off her Toyota RAV4 for repairs at a local outlet called Stone Mountain Toyota, where she presumed it would be safe.
Atlanta News FirstEula Archie, from Atlanta, was shocked to discover her Toyota RAV4 had been stolen twice from the same dealership[/caption] Atlanta News FirstDespite being parked for repairs, Eula Archie’s SUV was stolen twice from a Georgia dealership[/caption] Atlanta News FirstA thief drives away in Eula Archie’s car from the dealership service area, not once but twice[/caption]Archie, who has purchased four cars from the dealership over the years, brought the SUV into the shop due to a recurring battery issue.
It was parked inside the service area building but she was later left aghast upon discovering her vehicle had been stolen not once, but twice.
She only learned of the thefts after receiving a call from the police.
According to Atlanta News First, a Gwinnett County police officer responded to an abandoned car at the Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary on Stone Mountain Parkway, suspecting it was stolen.
After checking the vehicle’s registration, they contacted Archie, who informed them she had left it at the dealership.
Surveillance footage from the dealership showed a masked man wandering into the lot, checking cars for unlocked doors after Archie had dropped off her vehicle.
The footage then shows the suspect searching through the employee break room before returning to the service area, where they found the key fob to Archie’s car.
The suspect proceeded to open the service garage door, as footage captures them driving away in her vehicle.
Archie said: “Out of all those brand-new, beautiful cars on the lot, somebody was after mine.
“Why? I don’t understand.”
Police quickly notified the dealership, and a tow truck returned the car – but shockingly, 24 hours later, the thief returned.
Cops believe the suspect used the stolen key fob to take the car a second time, as video surveillance shows them driving away again.
As before, police were able to locate her car after the thief abandoned it again.
Archie, however, is demanding accountability.
She said: “Something is wrong. After the second time, I just couldn’t believe it.
“I still think I’m dreaming. Those people let someone come on the lot and take it twice.”
“I’ve had vehicles get stolen, but I’ve never seen this much incompetence,” a responding officer said.
It was later revealed that the dealership is under investigation by the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.
This comes after its consumer protection division received 20 complaints about the dealership over a two-year period.
The U.S. Sun reached out to the dealership for comment but did not immediately hear back.
How to prevent vehicle theft
Here are 10 ways to avoid your car being stolen according to an auto insurance company:
Lock your doors. It makes it more difficult for thieves to access anything inside the vehicle. Keep your keys on your person. With smart keys and fobs, a car can be unlocked if the key is close by. If the key is inside or on your person, it can’t be unlocked. Don’t leave a spare key near the vehicle, as thieves know to look for them in common places like in a wheel well, under items in the driveway, or in the glovebox. Keep windows closed. If a window is open, thieves can manually unlock the doors. Park in well-lit areas, as it helps detour thieves if their actions are visible to passersby. If your vehicle doesn’t have one, consider an anti-theft alarm system. If you live in a high-crime area, consider an immobilizer device that utilizes a kill switch if the device doesn’t recognize an authorized key. Consider a tracking device to be able to keep tabs on your vehicle’s location if it’s stolen. Never leave valuables in the car, especially in a visible spot. Thieves know to look in the floor boards, passenger, or rear seats for valuables. Double-check before leaving the vehicle that it’s secure. To protect wheels and tires, especially aftermarket wheels, consider wheel lock lug nuts. They require a special socket to remove, so they’re impossible to remove without it.Source: Allstate Auto Insurance
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