When employees of Mini of Fairfield County arrived at the dealership early on Saturday, Oct. 15, they found a car resting on three milk crates, all four of its tires and rims gone, police said.
A store manager said nothing seemed to be amiss when the dealership closed at 6 p.m. the night before. and a cleaning crew was there until about 11 p.m. Employees arrived starting at about 6 a.m. that Saturday, and police were called by 8 a.m.
Both driver’s side windows were smashed in the brown Minicooper S Switchback, probably as a way to get to the car’s tire jack in the trunk and wheel locks in the glove box. A console in the car was also opened and broken.
Lug nuts from the tires were left behind, near the car. The discarded tire jack box was later found in the alleyway that separates the dealership at 154 Post Road from a karate business next door. The plastic container that contained the wheel locks was also in the alley.
The stolen items are valued at $2,500; the cost to repair damage to the car, about $500.