Dennis RomeroSheriff's deputies said late yesterday that they have recovered the apparently beloved 1957 Chevy of one Dr. Phil.
His personality, however, was nowhere to be found. (Pa-dum-pum.)
But seriously, cops indicated the Bel Air was found as part of a ring that has seen multiple recoveries and arrests:
A Sheriff's Department statement says “multiple” suspects have been arrested and that 19 “classic” and collectible vehicles have been recovered.
Phil's ride was one of those: Deputies say it had to be ID'd via “various investigative techniques” because vehicle identification numbers on it and other cars had allegedly been “switched.”
Credit: Dr. Phil / Facebook
The car was found to be in “good condition” with “minor body damage,” according to the sheriff's statement.
The find was somewhere in the L.A. area about 7:25 a.m. yesterday, according the sheriff's department.
How'd cops crack the case? Here's what the department would say:
Credit: LASD
Detectives assigned to the Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention, commonly known as TRAP, have been targeting auto theft rings involved in the thefts of classic automobiles. Detectives were aware that suspects have been burglarizing vehicle repair shops and stealing classic vehicles throughout the Los Angeles County area.
Since the theft of Dr. Phil McGraw's classic 1957 Chevy Bel Air, detectives have been conducting covert operations and inspections of businesses throughout the county.
Ride on, Dr. Phil.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.