Car Thief In Los Angeles Crashes Corvette Z06 Into Dealership

The Chevrolet Corvette Z06, one might argue, is the most intriguing of the Corvette variants. It packs a 5.5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine that delivers near-apex level Corvette performance without resorting to cheat codes like a turbocharger or electrical assistance. The Z06’s 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque can accelerate the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in a blistering 2.6 seconds. It can hit the quarter mile in just 10.6 seconds. One might say the Z06 is what the Ferrari 488 should have been.

Like every Corvette variant, the Z06 can be considered a relative bargain next to comparably powered European supercars. But starting at $112,100, the Corvette Z06 will still be unattainable for most car buyers. One enterprising thief allegedly decided to steal a Corvette Z06 from a California dealership rather than entering a purchase agreement. To say it didn’t end well is an understatement.

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The Thief Allegedly Attempted To Smash And Grab The Corvette Z06

According to PMTVLA, the burglar targeted the Felix Chevrolet dealership at the intersection of Jefferson Blvd and S. Figueroa St near the University of Southern California campus. The thief allegedly gained entry to the dealership by smashing through a window with an e-scooter and then somehow found the keys. Moving around some furniture or trying to open the garage door would have taken too much time, it appears. The burglar apparently played a bit too much Grand Theft Auto and decided to just smash through the front window.

Now, if the glass went all the way to the floor, it may have worked. Actually, the glass window was pretty darned close to the floor. Had the car booster chosen something with a bit more rubber on the corners, like a Silverado ZR2 perhaps, this might have been a different story. With the Z06 sitting just a few inches off the ground, however, things didn’t go according to plan.

Score A Victory For Low-Tech Anti-Theft Devices

As the alleged thief found out, the windows were not flush with the ground. And the Corvette Z06, predictably, got stuck on the window lip. The car’s 670 hp was not enough muscle to shove the car forward, and once stuck on the ledge, there was no hope of going backward. Rather than leading the LAPD on a dangerous chase, the suspect was detained by USC public safety until the LAPD arrived to apprehend him. No fuss, no muss.

Perhaps an E-Ray would’ve been a better target. With an electric motor supplementing the 6.2-liter V8 engine, its all-wheel-drive grip may have been enough to yank the car over the ledge. Of course, there likely would’ve been considerable damage and possibly some punctured tires. But the best advice we can offer would-be thieves looking to nab a Corvette – or any car for that matter – is just don’t. Get your mom some flowers instead.

Fortunately, the split-window Corvette in the background seemingly escaped the incident unharmed. We may know a buyer if the dealership is looking to sell.

Source: PMTVLA