INDIANAPOLIS — Tow trucks are being used to steal cars in Indianapolis, and it's been happening for a while.
About five months ago, Brian Summers' car was stolen in broad daylight and across the street from a business with security cameras. It all happened in less than five minutes.
"They basically pulled right up, just like they were conducting business," Summers said. "They picked up the vehicle and pulled up out of here, all within four-and-a-half minutes."
Summers' 2004 Chevy Impala was parked on a family member's property in an alley.
"It had been sitting there," he said. "They could have been scoping it out for a while."
We reported earlier this month about a black tow truck used to steal vehicles out of alleys on the east side. Police are still investigating those crimes.
"I feel like it's a bigger theft ring-type thing now that it's happening so often to so many people," Summers said.
Based on the video Summers received from a nearby business, he was able to actually track down the tow truck that took his car.
Summers said the guys told him the car was scrapped and eventually gave him a few hundred dollars.
"We had issues getting the car back," he said. "They then told us they had scrapped the vehicle a couple days later. We agreed upon money to pay for the vehicle back. They wouldn't admit to theft. They said it was a mistake."
Summers wants other people to know how easily it can happen.
"People that work for the business next door saw them, waved at them and said, 'Hi.' They thought they were over there just doing what they should be doing."
Police always remind us that if you see something suspicious, you can call the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to check it out.
