TOP PHOTO: A Dodge Hellcat similar to the one stolen Thursday morning.

LAFOLLETTE, TN. (WLAF)- LaFollette Police are investigating a theft at a local car dealership where its estimated the thieves absconded with over $275,000 in inventory.

When staff arrived at Short- Redmond Ford on Thursday morning, they discovered a broken showroom window and three missing vehicles, according to LPD Chief Steve Wallen. The thieves had taken a Dodge Hellcat and a Dodge truck from the lot as well as a Ford Mustang from the showroom.

“This is still under investigation. All of the cars have been registered in NCIC (National Crime Information Center),” LaFollette Police Chief Steve Wallen said.

It appears the crew broke into the dealership and pried open the key box. From there they allegedly took the keys of the vehicles they were after and left, Wallen said.

Authorities believe this an “organized crime gang” that is targeting car dealerships. In March, a dealership was broken into in Somerset, Kentucky. Within 40 seconds, the thieves had stolen six Hellcats and were gone, Wallen said.

In August, the local dealership lost a Hellcat to thieves. It was later located in Alabama, according to Wallen.

Several other dealerships in the area have been stolen from with the Hellcat being the targeted vehicle, the chief said.

“This is still under investigation. All of the cars have been registered in NCIC (National Crime Information Center),” Wallen said.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED 11/3/2023- 6AM)

Related