12 vehicles stolen from auto-body shop
UPDATED July 3, 2023 - The Camry was recovered Sunday night. The Audi Q7 and Jeep Wrangler were located Monday. Also, the business referenced below is located in the 800 block of 11th Ave. W., not the 700 block, as previously reported. The hospitalized juvenile driver faces charges of motor vehicle theft, reckless driving, and driving without a driver's license. If you have information about this case, please contact BPD at 941-932-9300. Anonymous tips can be made to manateecrimestoppers.com
July 2, 2023
Case #: 2023-005696
The Bradenton Police Department is investigating the theft of at least 12 vehicles from an auto body shop in the 700 block of 11th Avenue W. Multiple suspects broke into the business between 7-10 a.m. and stole the keys to the vehicles, then removed them from the property.
At approximately 12:20 p.m., two stolen vehicles crashed in the 700 block of 12th Ave. W. One of the vehicles was engulfed in flames. The other was on its side after hitting the roof of a home. A juvenile driver of one of the vehicles sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and is in the hospital. The second driver left the scene of the crash.
BPD has recovered nine of the stolen vehicles, which includes the two involved in the crash. We continue to look for the following vehicles:
2021 white Jeep Wrangler with Florida tag HKPP55
2021 black Audi Q7 with New Jersey tag A15-NCZ
2023 black Toyota Camry with Florida tag 45DEEQ
If you have any information on these vehicles or the motor vehicle thefts, contact the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300. To remain anonymous and eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000, call Crime Stoppers at 866-634-8477 or make a tip anonymously at manateecrimestoppers.com.
