KC-area used car dealers report same suspect ‘test driving’ cars, never returning
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — Multiple police departments around the Kansas City metro are on the lookout for a car thief suspected of stealing from used cars lots.
Most lots have fencing and security cameras to help deter car thieves. But it's made easier when the dealership hands you the keys before you drive off.
If you've ever purchased a car you're probably familiar with the option to test drive the vehicle first. But once one man gets the car, he just never seems to comes back.
John Rudolph is new to the business, and likes selling cars. Earlier this month a man came to Tee Sweeps Auto LLC on North Main Street interested in a silver 2015 BMW 328i. He came back a week later, walking up without a car.
FanDuel rebranding Bally's regional sports networks, including Kansas City
"He told me he was going to come back to test drive the car so I figured he got money got his stuff together and was ready to purchase, so I didn't discriminate," Rudolph explained.
Rudolph took a photo of the driver's license he provided as he always does and handed him the keys for a test drive.
"Sometimes I'm here by myself and I can't just ride along and leave the lot vacant," he said.
Then that usual 30-minute test drive turned into hours.
"I figured maybe he took it to a mechanic to get checked out another two hours and I was worried I still wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt," he said.
Staff at KC Amigos on Bannister in Kansas City encountered a man Wednesday who gave them the exact same Florida driver's license for three test drives before settling on a 2019 Genesis G70. Again they'd find the man took the car but never returned.
Since then people connected to other area used car lots have told each auto dealer it's likely the same suspect who stole cars from them the same way this year.
Rudolph even found his stolen car on Facebook Marketplace using his photos listed for his original sales prices of $7,500. Staff at KC Amigos report the Genesis was valued at more than $20,000.
Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android
As a result of the thefts, each will have to look at additional measures including requiring proof of insurance and considering whether the test driver leaves a car behind. They warn other car lots the man is not to be trusted.
"He has a story line between making people feel comfortable so he knows what he's doing and he needs to be stopped. Because I'm sure somebody is out there buying them," Rudolph said.
