A Mapunapuna used-car lot that was gutted in an early-July burglary now has most of its inventory back, with five of six stolen vehicles recovered after a citizen tip and police surveillance. The win is tempered by a headache of paperwork and repairs: keys, dozens of titles and the hard drives from the lot’s security cameras are still missing, a blow the general manager described as both costly and deeply personal.
How Thieves Hit The Lot Overnight
General manager Tianqi Li said he closed up City Auto Sales on Ahua Street for the night and returned the next morning to a crime scene: the front gate lock cut, the office door smashed and a safe broken open. Thieves drove off with six of the dealership’s most valuable vehicles and made off with stacks of title documents. The stolen cars included a 2019 Chevy Colorado, 2023 Dodge Durango, 2017 Subaru WRX, 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 2013 Lexus LS and a 2015 Ford F-250, according to Hawaii News Now.
Caller’s Tip And Police Surveillance Pay Off
Honolulu police located four of the missing vehicles in Pearl City. The fifth turned up after a caller alerted the dealership to a Toyota Tacoma sitting on Fort Weaver Road in Ewa. Investigators kept the truck under watch, and the business later reclaimed it using a spare key. Inside, staff found the stolen keys and title documents. Li told reporters the string of recoveries brought a huge sense of relief and said the difference before and after getting the vehicles back was “day and night,” as reported by Hawaii News Now.
Inside-Job Theories Fizzle As One Truck Stays Missing
The dealership initially wondered if a former employee might be involved, but Li later told investigators he no longer believes it was strictly an inside job, noting that whoever pulled it off “knew a lot about dealership stuff.” One vehicle is still unaccounted for: a grey 2019 Chevy Colorado that Li said is covered by insurance. KHON2 and other local outlets report that the investigation remains open and active.
Security Lessons For Dealerships And Buyers
The break-in underscores some basic but critical security steps for car lots: locking keys and title paperwork in secure storage, backing up security footage off-site and using tougher locks along with reinforced gate hardware, measures police say make organized thefts harder to pull off. The Honolulu Police Department offers similar robbery and vehicle-theft prevention advice for both businesses and everyday drivers. Anyone with information about crimes on Oʻahu can share anonymous tips with Honolulu Crime Stoppers at 808-955-8300 or call 911.
