Lafayette police looking for subjects who stole 4 truck tailgates

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) – Thieves took aim at a Lafayette car dealership early Sunday morning and drove away with four truck tailgates.

Security cameras captured a van driving into Manolo Auto Sales on South Creasy Lane around 1 a.m. The passenger got out and stole the tailgates in under five minutes.

Manolo owner Manuel Gaeta says he is concerned about the rise in Lafayette crime he’s seen over the last few years.

“Well, it’s sad because I don’t think we live in a safe city anymore,” Gaeta said. “Big city problems is what it is.”

Gaeta says he’s never seen anything like this in his 16 years of business.

“We’ve never gotten something like that, but you sometimes suspect you might,” Gaeta said. “You feel sad. I’ve got four kids to feed and a wife. That’s not right.”

Gaeta reported the theft to police and says the tailgates are worth about $1,000 apiece.