Seven car thefts in Bloomington over the last month can be linked to a towing company scam targeting cars in The Fields parking lot.
Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo said a 21-year-old man reported his blue 2011 Audi S5 stolen Monday.
Pedigo said the man purchased the car from a person living in The Fields apartment complex a few weeks ago. He decided to cover the car and park it in the lot while he was out of the country for the summer.
The man spoke to property management, who told him they had not requested a tow. He then contacted the police.
Pedigo said another man reported his recently purchased white 2013 Chrysler 300 stolen on Aug. 2. It had been also been parked in The Fields parking lot.
The man last saw his car on around 6:30 p.m. July 31 when he took out his trash. The man did not leave his home again until Aug. 2, and the car was missing. The man was the only victim who spent the summer in Bloomington.
One stolen car linked to the scam was recovered. A white 2015 Dodge Charger that was reported stolen around 9 a.m. Aug. 11 from The Fields parking lot was later found parked at the College Mall. The complainant was a friend of the owner, who had been in China.
Police spoke to the complainant's property manager, who said the car had been towed by an Indianapolis towing company Aug. 10.
