COLUMBUS, Ohio — Who is stealing high-priced SUVs from John Glenn Columbus International Airport's long-term parking lot? It’s a question that’s yet to be answered after a third Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk was stolen earlier this week.
Less than a month ago, the airport told 10TV that 10 vehicles had been stolen from the parking garage over the past six years. Now there have been three stolen in less than a month.
The three thefts happened between Oct. 10 and Oct. 27 and were all stolen from the fifth floor of the long-term garage.
Only one of those cars has been recovered. The recovered Trackhawk was stripped down to the frame and found at the intersection of Gibbard Avenue and Howard Street about six miles from the airport.
“I can confirm this is the third vehicle with the same make and model. This is rare to happen. We have a million cars that go in and out of the parking garage,” said Breann González Almos, spokesperson for the airport.
The Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk is rare. Jeep stopped production of the high-performance SUV two years ago and the thefts aren't only happening at the airport.
10TV learned that a local car dealer has had between three to four of these same SUVs stolen from his lot. The executive said they’ve since moved the car into the showroom and off the lot to prevent further thefts.
“This is larger than just the airport. The investigation has multiple entities in it, “ said Almos.
Airport police are working with Columbus police to try and figure out who is behind these thefts.