Thief Uses Crane in Heist at Northern Indiana Car Lot

October 20, 2011

A thief literally lifted a Jeep Wrangler from a northern Indiana car lot by using a crane to make the heist.

A surveillance camera at LaPorte Chrysler captured someone driving a truck with a crane onto the lot, then circling around to park next to the 2008 Wrangler before hooking it with the crane and loading it onto a trailer.

Dealership owner Matt Magnuson tells WSBT-TV that it is the craziest idea he’s heard of for stealing a vehicle.

While the thief finished his work before dawn Sunday in about six minutes, Magnuson says he’s confident police will catch the thief since he parked so close to a surveillance camera. He says he believes the thief’s truck was designed for logging or railroad work.