MASFIELD (1080 KRLD) - Police in several cities throughout North Texas are investigating a string of auto thefts.
"We've had it happen in Mesquite, Seagoville, Kennedale, Arlington, Fort Worth (and) Mansfield," says Mansfield Police Lt. Jim Harrell, a member of the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force.
The thieves are mainly targeting Chevy Camaros of all ages.
"We had four stolen, all within a 48-hour period," says Lt. Harrell, "and then we ended up finding three of them dumped on the side of the road back in Mansfield missing the engine and transmission."
The cars are being stolen by a pair of tow trucks.
"One is a Dodge, and it's white in color with a quick-pick on the back of it," Lt. Harrell says. "The other is a Chevy and it's black in color with a quick-pick. Neither one of them are marked."
That last detail should throw up a red flag.
"Most (legitimate tow trucks) will have a TLR number on the side, which means they're registered with the state, and they'll also have a name on the side of it," says Harrell. "Usually they have a (phone) number printed on the side of them also."
Other GM makes and models have also been stolen by the tow trucks.
The task force also has had reports of Fords and other domestic makes being stolen, although it has not definitively tied them to these two tow trucks.
If anyone has any information, call the Tri-County Auto Theft Task Force at 817-728-3910.
"If they can get a photo of a license plate, that would be excellent," Lt. Harrell says.
