Police seek help finding Chevys stolen from Monterey auctions
Authorities in California are seeking help locating three vintage Chevrolets stolen from auction sites during the annual Monterey classic car week. Stolen were a white 1961 Impala convertible and a 1957 cream-colored Bel Air from the Mecum Auctions site, and a red 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible from Russo and Steele.
Authorities in California are seeking help locating three vintage Chevrolets stolen from auction sites during the annual Monterey classic car week.
According to the California Highway Patrol, two of the cars — a white 1961 Impala convertible and a 1957 cream-colored Bel Air — were reported missing from the Del Monte golf course at the Hyatt Regency Monterey hotel, where they were part of 750 vehicles put up for auction by Mecum Auctions.
The Impala was reported stolen the night of Aug. 17, and the Bel Air was discovered to be missing Aug. 18, said CHP spokesman Robert Lehman. CHP auto theft officers were working the case, he said.
Both belonged to car dealerships in the Midwest — the Impala to World of Wheels in Des Moines, Iowa, and the Bel Air to Sam Pierce Chevrolet of Muncie, Ind. The Bel Air was valued at $65,000 while no value was given for the Impala, Lehman said.
A red 1961 Chevrolet Impala convertible, with Idaho plates, was reported stolen from a Fisherman's Wharf parking lot after it was displayed in the Russo and Steele auction the night of Aug. 16. That vehicle was valued at $220,000. Monterey police reported that someone broke into the secured lot.
Lehman said it was the first theft of classic vehicles he could recall during the annual car event.
Anyone with information about the thefts should contact the Monterey office of the California Highway Patrol at 831-796-2100.
