Thief takes nearly $60,000 in tools, customer’s vehicle from Fargo auto shop

FARGO (KFGO) – A Fargo repair shop is out nearly $60,000 in tools and equipment after an early Tuesday morning burglary.

Corey’s Car Care co-owner Frank Neisen said security video shows the thief walking around the building at about 3:30 a.m. Neisen said the man pried open an office window and spent a couple of hours inside the building before driving away in a customer’s pickup.

Neisen said whoever it was took most of his diagnostic equipment, many scan tools, almost everything Milwaukee power tool-related, cordless batteries, tire pressure monitor tools, and other specialty tools. He said the tools taken are ones the business buys so their employees don’t have to purchase them.

Neisen said this isn’t the first time he’s seen someone on security video.

“All summer long there’s been people that – usually [between] 1 to 4 o’clock in the morning – you’ll see people pop up on the camera going through vehicles, trying to find whatever they can,” Neisen said.

Neisen said the pickup that was used to haul away the tools and equipment is a customer’s white 2007 Toyota Tundra valued at about $14,000. He said he believes the burglary may be related to two other business break-ins late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Neisen said other Fargo-Moorhead repair shops have reported suspicious activity and thefts throughout the summer.

“If [the thief] worked as hard at getting a job and working versus stealing things, they’d probably do pretty well in life,” Neisen said.