SAN ANTONIO – Robert Barrow has had a lot of losses lately when it comes to his North Side used car lot.
He says thieves have been targeting his business, located on Broadway near Loop 410, repeatedly.
“We’ve had vehicles stolen. We’ve had the office burglarized before, lots of expensive tools stolen, catalytic converters cut,” he said.
Still, what happened Thursday morning at Landmark Motors came as a surprise.
Barrow says he first noticed something was wrong when he arrived around 6 a.m. and saw that the metal gate to his shop was wide open.
“I immediately noticed one of the diesel trucks was gone,” he said. “And I thought it was simply a vehicle theft until I got into the office.”
According to San Antonio police, someone broke through a window into the building that houses Barrow’s office, cut the electricity, then ransacked the place.
“They apparently got the keys to the truck and drove off with whatever else they stole. I haven’t done inventory yet,” Barrow said.
The thieves jumped into a 2011 white Chevrolet pickup with a Duramax engine that Barrow had on his lot and used it to smash right through his metal gate.
Police say it appears the criminals were professionals and may be headed to the southern border in the stolen truck.
Barrow, meanwhile, is frustrated. He says he has done almost everything he can think of to protect his business, including putting up fences, bright lights and surveillance cameras.
“They’re so determined, there’s really nothing you can do,” he said.
Hiring armed guards could be one other option but Barrow says it is out of his price range.
He said, for now, he will just get back to business and hope the thieves don’t come back.