ETNA, Ohio (WSYX) — A Licking County auto dealer is offering a cash reward to find suspects who stole a truck and damaged an expensive luxury car on the lot.
“You think it’s in Columbus, but now it’s spreading out further and further, and that’s kind of nerve-racking,” said Jonny Patton, with First Gear Auto Group.
The theft happened early Friday morning at the Etna car business when a group of hooded and masked suspects pulled up in three separate cars, including a Kia, and then shattered a front office window to get inside the building.
“They showed no remorse to whatever they did; they didn’t care,” said Greg Chittenden with First Gear Auto Group.
The business says thieves grabbed a key fob for a Challenger SRT Hellcat, but when they could not find the vehicle on the lot, they drove off with a GMC truck, severely damaging a $68,000 Porsche parked nearby.
“They destroyed the corner panel. They destroyed some suspension by hitting the wheel,” said Patton.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is now searching for the suspects, who were wearing masks and black clothing in the crimes. Investigators say the suspects appear to be juveniles, and at least one culprit is believed to have been holding a gun.
“You could tell it’s young kids. They don’t know what they are doing,” said Patton.
Managers now offering a $5,000 cash reward to the person whose tip leads to an arrest in the case.
“They are putting a lot of fear in people and doing a lot of damage for no reason,” said Chittenden.
The stolen GMC truck was found later near an apartment complex in southwest Columbus, damaged and undrivable.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Licking County Sheriff’s Office at 740-670-5555