Tips sought on theft of vintage auto

11/12/2005

Oregon police are looking for tips about the person or persons who stole a classic car from a residential garage, removed parts from the vehicle, and trashed the interior before the car was found in Toledo.

An orange, two-door 1962 Plymouth Savoy worth $20,000 was taken last month from Fred Ruiz's garage at 243 Van Buren Ave. The car's body was decorated with airbrushed pictures of an eagle and the Statue of Liberty.

The suspect or suspects broke the glass in a side door of the garage and pried open the door between 6 p.m. Oct. 21 and 6:40 a.m. Oct. 22. Police said the car may have been pushed or towed from the garage.

Toledo police found the car on Oct. 30 at 1612 Freeman St. Its tires, rims, transmission, and chrome-detailed engine were gone. Dog food was scattered inside the car and dogs ran loose inside, chewing up the interior, Oregon detectives said.

Mr. Ruiz bought the car from the daughter of a good friend who had died.

Anyone with information is asked to call Oregon police at 419-698-7004 or the Toledo Crime Stopper program.