Mobile police are asking residents to help identify a man suspected of breaking into a used car dealership on Springhill Avenue and stealing a haul of tools and shop equipment.
According to the Mobile Police Department, the burglary happened at Technique Auto Sales at around 11 a.m. on a recent Wednesday. Investigators say the suspect got inside the business and left with several pieces of equipment, including a buffer, a polisher, a wrench set, a drill and other miscellaneous tools used to detail and repair vehicles on the lot.
Police spokesman Officer Terence Perkins said detectives are treating the case as a straightforward break-in, but so far no arrests have been made. Investigators are relying on a description provided by witnesses near the dealership at the time of the burglary.
The suspect is described as a Black man who is bald, with a long gray goatee. He was wearing coveralls and black boots when he was seen leaving the property. Witnesses told police he drove away in a red vehicle, though detectives have not been able to pin down the make or model.
Small business burglaries like this one are a persistent headache for owners of used car lots and repair shops along busy Mobile corridors such as Springhill Avenue, where tools and equipment left in unsecured bays or storage areas can be an easy target. Losses from stolen tools can add up quickly for a small operation, forcing owners to replace expensive equipment out of pocket while investigations continue.
Mobile police are continuing to canvass the area for surveillance footage and additional witnesses who may have seen the man or his vehicle near Springhill Avenue around the time of the break-in. Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is urged to contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-7211 or the department’s main line at 251-208-7000.
Residents and business owners in the area are also encouraged to report any suspicious activity around commercial properties promptly, since early tips can make the difference in identifying repeat offenders who target multiple businesses in a short span of time. Detectives say cases like this often move quickly once a vehicle description or partial tag number surfaces, so even small details from neighbors and passersby can help investigators build a case.