Attempted Burglary at Bill Harris Dealership Foiled as Thieves Target High-Performance Vehicles

Joe Lyons • August 30, 2024

Ashland, OH – In a daring yet ultimately unsuccessful break-in attempt, the Bill Harris Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership, located at 2100 S Baney Rd, Ashland, OH, once again became the target of would-be car thieves early Sunday morning. Known for its high-performance vehicles, the dealership has long been a draw for customers and, unfortunately, criminals alike.

Around 3 a.m. on Sunday, a group of burglars attempted to breach the dealership, with their sights set on a 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, a vehicle that boasts over 700 horsepower and can reach speeds of up to 190 miles per hour. However, this was not their lucky day.

George Hitchcock, the General Sales Manager of Bill Harris, shared details of the incident, highlighting the dealership’s preparedness against such attempts. “We sell a lot of high performance vehicles, and with that comes a certain amount of risk. But we’re fully prepared to defend these vehicles and keep them safe,” said Hitchcock. “These guys took quite some time to break through the security glass, but they didn’t realize that our security systems were already in place, both inside and outside the building.”

Hitchcock explained that despite the effort the burglars put into breaking in, they were foiled by multiple layers of security. The dealership’s advanced security measures, including off-site key storage and disabling vehicle components, meant the thieves never stood a chance. “Even if they got inside, the vehicles here are disabled. They don’t have the necessary components to run,” Hitchcock added. “They’re basically bricks.”

The General Sales Manager’s frustration was evident as he described the damage caused by the break-in. “We like to keep local businesses in business, but not like this. The glass company probably appreciates the call, but the thieves won’t find what they’re looking for inside this building,” he said. “We hope they consider a more legal route to obtaining these vehicles, perhaps by purchasing one instead of attempting to steal it.”

The repeated break-in attempts highlight the dealership’s appeal due to its inventory of high-performance vehicles. Hitchcock noted that the dealership has seen a significant increase in such incidents over the past five years. “We’ve been in business for over 40 years, and we’ve seen more break-ins in the last five years than in the previous 35 combined,” he said.

Despite the ongoing threats, Hitchcock remains confident in the dealership’s ability to thwart any future attempts. “The bad guys want what the consumers want too, and we seem to have the most of it. But they quickly realize that we’re prepared for them.”

Ashland Police Division Officers were on the scene quickly, though no arrests were made. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with high-demand vehicles, but also as a testament to the robust security measures in place at Bill Harris Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership.