5 of 6 cars recovered after theft from Honolulu used car lot

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu police are investigating a burglary at a Mapunapuna used car lot where thieves broke in and drove off with six vehicles worth an estimated $150,000.

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General manager Tianqi Li said he locked up City Auto Sales on Ahua Street on Sunday at noon. When he returned Monday morning at 8 a.m., he discovered the vehicles were gone.

How the burglary unfolded

Li said the burglars cut the lock on the front gate, smashed through the front office door, broke into a safe and got the keys. The lot is located next to Nimitz Highway.

The stolen vehicles are:

Li said the six vehicles were the most expensive on the lot. He estimated the cost to replace the keys at about $20,000.

During the burglary, the thieves cut cords to the security camera system and took the hard drives. Li said there is no security video available because the previous manager, who had the passwords, recently passed away.

The burglars also broke into a drawer and took dozens of car titles.

“They knew what they were doing,” Li said. “They know. They were very professional because they also stole the file.”

Update: 5 of 6 stolen vehicles recovered in Pearl City, Ewa Beach

Five of the six stolen vehicles have since been recovered. On July 7, City Auto Sales said they were found on a street in Pearl City in “perfect condition” with the keys still inside, and they were returned to the lot Tuesday.

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Police found the fifth vehicle, a 2016 Toyota Tacoma on Fort Weaver Road in Ewa Beach. The car had no keys, and was brought back to the lot Wednesday using a spare key.

The auto shop suspects the person who stole the cars was a worker who was fired 3 years ago.

City Auto Sales said the remaining car still missing is a 2019 Chevy Colorado.

A blow to struggling business

Li spoke to Hawaii News Now just a few hours after he discovered the crime and police were on scene. He said the used car business has been struggling due to high gas prices, making recovery difficult.

“Shock and angry of course,” Li said. “How could you do this to someone?”

“Hopefully police help us,” Li added. “At this point, we hope government helps, because there’s not much thing we can do.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.

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