Police suspect theft ring in Jim Baier break-in

FORT MADISON - An overnight break in at Jim Baier Ford in Fort Madison has police looking for at least four vehicles.

According to owner Jamie Baier the suspects broke into the business on the west end of Fort Madison sometime overnight and drove two vehicles off the showroom floor, including a 2020 Dodge Charger Hellcat Daytona, one of only 501 built.

The suspects also took a 2020 orange Ford Mustang off the floor.

They left a 2020 Silver Jeep on the floor.

"Maybe they didn't know how to drive stick, " Baier said from the dealership Monday morning.

Fort Madison Police are also looking for a 2019 black Dodge Challenger and a 2015 white Dodge Challenger taken from the lot.

Baier said the suspects smashed the key box in the sales bullpen that holds the keys and drove the vehicles right out the front door.

According to Fort Madison Police Chief Mark Rohloff, the method of operation has the marks of a professional ring that has been working in the Midwest and indicated an investigator has been called to the scene.

Baier said the dealership doesn't have showroom alarms because he's never had anything like this happen. He did have camera footage, but that was taken as well.

Baier said the suspects also got away with dealer plates.

"I'm sure they put these plates on. But these cars aren't hard to see."

Anyone with information or observing the vehicles is encouraged to contact the Fort Madison Police Department.

Jim Baier staff are still completing a total inventory of the dealership.