1970 GMC Shortbox Stepside STOLEN

[chaptr2]

My 70 GMC Short Box Stepside truck has been STOLEN.
It was in Tacoma, WA at a Vincent Kustoms body and paint shop.

After the theft, I had heard that the owner owed money to people and the landlord and more than likely these people have it or know where it's at. That same night there was a shooting on Wednesday while people were taking their stuff. My truck was pushed out or was already outside and someone showed up Wednesday night or Thursday and cleaned out the rest of the shop, including my truck.
The owner took a few days to contact me, and since has been trying to locate it ever since. I have filed a police report, but I hold no hope.

It has a supercharged small block Chevy with a Roots blower, PB Cross-member, Rear coil overs, Brand new paint job (Dark Silver Sage) Army green for everyone else, new steel cowl hood, It has the Cab clearance marker raised bosses on it and is an AC cab as well. It should be distinct since it was just painted and all of it is new. The Truck was not all the way together and more than likely the bed was thrown on the frame.

There is a mix of emotions, anger, sadness, and the feeling of shame, that comes with all of this. I feel like I get a stone wall every where I turn with little to no help. The Landlord won't help me out, won't even tell me if there is anything of mine in there, since VK owes money. Some of his associates are keeping there ears open, which is nice, but only helpful if the truck gets returned. I am not mixed up with any of this, just a victim of a ****ty situation. It is insured, but that isn't the point.

If you have read this far and live in the area, please keep an eye out at swap meets or if you are vender in the area, the person will need a new GMC Grill, Top Bar, Bumpers, and headlight buckets to finish the truck along with wood bed kit.

Please check my FB page to help locate this. This is in Washington State.

https://www.facebook.com/Chaptr2

[Coley]

Wow.....that is bad news.
I'm (just) north of you and the border however I will keep an eye out for anything that I hear or see that might be related.
Having had a really nice '72 stolen (never to return) I know that pain and frustration. The police are borderline useless in this kind of event...and the best bets are existing contacts and networks, so hopefully that stirs up something.
Again, sorry for the bad news...hang in there man.
Coley

[Grumpy old man]

You didn't say when this happened but I'm assuming days ago ? Forget the police, forget the owner , Contact anyone who worked there or lives close by and offer a decent reward for it's safe return , find out what bar the guy hung out at and get info there , spend the couple hundred to an attorney to go after the landlord for info and threaten suit ....But I'm sorry to say with what you had it's probably already been parted and sold NO ONE would be dumb enough to finish it .

personally if it was me I'd be sitting on his door step with my .45

My bet is the landlord has it , offer to pay the back rent if you get it back in 1 piece ?

[Malamute]

Sorry to hear this, that really sucks.

Someone at that shop has to know something! I hope you get your truck back.

[70blackfish]

Thats suks!!!!!!!!

[jdw]

Owes 'legit' money to 'legit' people? Either way, I'd contact them. Pretty sure they don't want a truck in pieces/a stolen truck. You might have to pay for it, but sometimes that's the discount at the 'illegit' shop.

[Grumpy old man]

I wish I lived closer , I'd have it back in hours and delivered to your house . There is NOTHING worse than a thief , But I'm leaning toward the landlord or an employee holding it for ransom or as their assumed repayment for what the guy owes them ? No Matter who currently has it it's still auto theft and ONCE they have been thoroughly show the error of their ways I'd press charges and see them in jail ,Also check every secured storage area service within 50 miles and ask if they picked it up to store it inside ? As far as the body shop owner are you sure he didn't use it to pay off some other illegit debt he owes ? He should have called you way before anything happened to your truck or the closing of his doors by the landlord ! I wouldn't sleep /go to work/ or anything else until it was returned in 1 piece I would ring their phones and the police 50 times a day ,Boy I wish I was closer I can't stand this type of BS !

[Grumpy old man]

What is the address of the closed shop ? use google earth to check for the close storage facilities it's not going to be sitting outside .and check the landlords other properties also keep driving by their homes they'll get the idea your not giving up .

[Blue GMC]

This sucks and there is nothing to say to make it better than when you get it back.

I would be all over craigslist and Ebay and other services where this thing could be parted out. Craigslist I would check several surrounding states.
Posted via Mobile Device

[68 P.O.S.]

Wow, sorry to hear this. I will definitely be on the lookout out also.

[WarMonger]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

I wish I lived closer , I'd have it back in hours and delivered to your house . There is NOTHING worse than a thief , But I'm leaning toward the landlord or an employee holding it for ransom or as their assumed repayment for what the guy owes them ? No Matter who currently has it it's still auto theft and ONCE they have been thoroughly show the error of their ways I'd press charges and see them in jail ,Also check every secured storage area service within 50 miles and ask if they picked it up to store it inside ? As far as the body shop owner are you sure he didn't use it to pay off some other illegit debt he owes ? He should have called you way before anything happened to your truck or the closing of his doors by the landlord ! I wouldn't sleep /go to work/ or anything else until it was returned in 1 piece I would ring their phones and the police 50 times a day ,Boy I wish I was closer I can't stand this type of BS !

X2, There would be a few people walking around with busted knee caps. Starting with the body shop owner.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by WarMonger

X2, There would be a few people walking around with busted knee caps. Starting with the body shop owner.

X3, this not only sucks, it makes me extremely angry. I wish the best of luck getting this resolved.

[cooperhw]

Would this be a "paint prison" jail break?

Serious though, I have actually seen this type action take place before. I would go down and file civil suit against the shop owner you had a contract with. Possibly add in the owner of record on the property if you can. Contact your local motor vehicle dept. and alert of a stolen truck. Place many (MANY) ads in craigs list. put up fliers maybe?
Offer Reward. Somebody was owed money and has your truck. Chances are that somebody had help loading it up from somebody who could use the cash.
Doesn't sound like a typical vehicle theft ring who part em out to me. If that person is owed money he went about getting it the wrong way and might not want to be "Big Bubba's Bit*h" in prison.
I would start by looking at the painter/bodyman. He might not have been paid for his labors on your truck.

[Husker]

I hope you get it back.
There are scumbags everywhere.
Ron

[TexasLS1]

This pisses me off. I hope someone gets caught and you get the truck back. It usually doesn't turn out well for the good guys though. Would love to see the thief become "Big Bubba's B****", or get a severe beatdown in a dark alley. Good luck!

[Grumpy old man]

What ever came of this "stolen truck " Did you get it back ? is anyone in jail ? whats the body shop owner and landlord saying about it ?

[67 chevelle]

I hope they are caught , landloard would be suspect , its your truck not not shops ,,hope this lightens the mood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvT_VOJaXvs

[HeloCrewChief]

I'm in Tacoma and will keep an eye out.

[StingRay]

And now you have thousands of friends across North America keeping an eye out for it. I hope you recover it. A local body shop owner here had his car stolen last year. A lot of people know and like him. Word spread like wildfire and and the car (parts of) was spotted by a train engineer close to the tracks on a farm. The thieves were convicted. The best thing you can do is get the story out there. It made the media here which just added to the pool of people looking for it.

[boraxman]

In for the update/

[tim's68gmc]

i live in Tacoma and will keep eyes open

[BigMike]

I lived in Port Orchard nearly all my life, moved to Orange County, CA 18 years ago. My cousin Phil has worked in several body shops in the Kitsap and Pierce Counties for the last 25 years. I just shot a text to him to keep an eye out as well. He too is into these trucks so he knows what to look for. So sorry for your loss.

[68c10airstream]

Drive by the local storage facilities and smell for fresh paint. Dead giveaway in my mind

[mike16]

the simple fact is is that the body shop ie involved. it happens too often

[67swb72klb]

Man that's a nice truck good luck in the recovery...get the word out