Used car dealer gets theives on videotape

Friday, October 31st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Car thieves target a small dealership in Owasso. The most recent theft was caught on tape. A young man and woman spent an hour and a half making their selection and driving off in a one-of-a-kind classic truck.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright has the story of a small business owner who's fighting back.

Mike Bailey loves classic cars, so he opened a dealership three years ago and carries hot rods and classics, vehicles very popular with car lovers and car thieves, alike. "It kills you. It's hard enough in this economy without having people steal what you have."

Thieves have stolen tires and wheels and left the cars sitting on blocks, they've stolen radios out of his cars and of course, the cars themselves. Because of all this, Mike's had to add a security fence, an alarm system and even a couple of cameras. In fact, the most recent theft was caught on tape and we have it and will show you what they look like.

The couple looked at several cars, came back with a jack to move the car Mike had blocking the drive, then tried to start a green classic truck, but couldn't get it started, before deciding on a 1967 canary yellow Chevy short wide pickup with a TPI motor. They got it started, backed it out of the lot and were gone. "I work hard for what little I have, I try to raise, support my family and make a living and they cost you even more, with having to put up the fence and cameras, it's difficult."

Mike even lets his dogs loose in the lot at night to discourage other thieves. As for now, he hopes someone will recognize these thieves or at least know where they've taken his 67 Chevy. "They're stealing out of my kids' pockets and I don't like it. If they want it bad enough, pay for it." Because Mike is certainly paying for it, in more ways than one.

If you have information that might help police crack this case, you can call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. You don't have to give your name and you could get a cash reward.