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Ford Trucks Targeted In String Of Gainesville Thefts

In the last month there have been a string of vehicle thefts targeting 2003 to 2010 Ford F-250s and F-350s in Gainesville.

Thieves are managing to enter locked trucks within a minute, Gainesville Police Department spokesperson Ben Tobias said in an email. The vehicles have mainly been stolen from parking lots of shopping centers and hotels.

“For some reason thieves have figured out that those particular trucks are very easy to break into and extremely easy for them to hot-wire and then steal,” Tobias said.

The latest theft involving a Ford truck occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning at the Residence Inn at 3275 SW 40th Blvd.

Though it isn't clear why F-250s and F-350s have been the only targets so far, it may be due to a security flaw specific to those models. Cars often become popular to steal when thieves figure out quick ways to get into particular models, said Omar Jawad, co-owner of auto shop Sound Depot and Performance.

Police recommend parking cars in well-lit areas near storefronts where security cameras are in view of the vehicle. Car owners also have the option of installing security systems in their vehicles to prevent theft.

Car thieves often see an alarm system in a car and decide to go for an easier target to grab-and-go, Jawad said.

The investigation is ongoing, but police have recovered some of the stolen vehicles and have identified two suspects from forensic evidence in the cars.

Andres is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.