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Unmarked tow truck being used to steal cars from east side alleys

Posted at 3:22 AM, Apr 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-22 16:42:19-04

INDIANAPOLIS — In a matter of days, five cars have disappeared from Rural Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department investigators have confirmed that a black tow truck is believed to be connected to at least three of the five cases.

Nearby an east side alley on Tuesday neighbors heard noises, where someone had been stealing two cars.

"They took these old cars," Margaret Jones, who lives near 12th Street, said. "A 2007 Chevy van and my son had all his tools in because he's a bricklayer."

According to Jones, other neighbors saw it happening, but because of the way the vehicles were stolen, they weren't suspicious. They weren't suspicious because they had a tow truck.

RTV6 talked to several other neighbors nearby who say a black flatbed was spotted stealing two vehicles near 18th Street, both parked in an alley.

"I don't mind saying something because I'm fearless," Jones said. "I tell you what I wish I had a gun because if I did, I would have shot their doggone tires out."

Another vehicle was stolen from an alley just to the north on Lawrence Street. In total, six cars were taken in just a few days in the area.

According to IMPD, the investigation is ongoing and detectives are following up on several leads.

IMPD asks that if residents see an unmarked tow truck picking up a vehicle - that they know to be in working condition - to please alert the vehicle's owner and the police.