Car thieves stole over half of the inventory from a newly-opened car dealership in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday night, ABC6 News reported.
City Motors of Philadelphia, which had only been open for a week, lost seven of its 11 cars after thieves broke into the main office and took the keys and titles to several of the vehicles on the lot, according to ABC6. Although police have attempted to look into the thefts, the dealership had not yet installed its security cameras because it was so new to the area. (RELATED: Philly Looting Suspects Quickly Return To Streets Under Soros-Backed DA’s Cashless Bail System)
“If we don’t recover the cars, we probably won’t survive it,” Nathan Kriegler, the co-owner of the dealership, told ABC6 on Wednesday. “It could be the start and the end all in the same week.”
Police have not yet confirmed if the car thefts were related to the rampant looting that also took place in downtown Philadelphia on Tuesday, according to ABC6. At least 100 rioters participated in the main looting spree, breaking into 28 stores and stealing items like iPads, exercise clothes and shoes.
Auto theft in the city has increased 100% since 2022, and over 18,000 vehicles have been stolen in 2023 so far, data from the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) showed.
“I think if I had the choice all over, I would not come to Philadelphia,” Kriegler told ABC6. “I think a lot of people are feeling that way.”
City Motors of Philadelphia and the PPD did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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