Photos from {link=http://www.13abc.com/home/headlines/Three-classic-cars-stolen-from–336045861.html}ABC 13{link/}

Imagine the horror of walking into your shop, garage, or other venue for storing a car collection, only to find out that you have been robbed. Unfortunately, this exact nightmare happened to Greg LaPoint in Swanton, Ohio. According to ABC 13, LaPoint lost three of his classic cars as well as a tool box when thieves broke into his building and drove through the door. Thieves broke into his shop by prying open a metal door and plowing through the rollup door in the classic cars. Obviously, these particular thieves were not concerned about the condition of the cars because of the damage caused by driving through the door, but what about the mental damage to the owner? It is hard to imagine the pain and anguish caused by the loss of one’s hard work, but there are ways to deter theft.

Greg LaPoint’s 1970 Trans Am along with two other cars were stolen from his shop.

By taking basic precautions it is possible to slow down thieves or at least make them think twice about stealing your hot rod. There is no way to prevent all theft, but the addition of an alarm system is a great start. According the ABC 13, the building was fitted with an alarm system, but it was not set on the night of the burglary. Another lesson to be learned from this terrible experience is not to leave the keys in the cars; it will take additional time for the thieves to break into a locked key cabinet or to hot wire the cars. Cameras are another excellent option to help track down the perpetrators if a break-in occurs. Finally, proper insurance can help ease the hurt if your hot rod is stolen; you may not recover the original car, but the money can help to start a new project.