MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN — A group of bandits attempted to steal several ultra-luxury vehicles, including a blue McLaren and a black Mercedes G Wagon, from a parking garage in Hell’s Kitchen early Sunday morning. The thieves were thwarted when a pesky security gate prevented them from escaping with their loot, according to police.
The Attempted Heist
Around 6 a.m., the group of four or five robbers entered the garage on West 43rd Street near 11th Avenue and broke into several high-end cars. They were able to start the vehicles, including a 2020 McLaren, valued at several hundred thousand dollars. However, their plan quickly unraveled when one of the thieves crashed the McLaren into a nearby pole shortly after driving off.
The McLaren’s owner, who later spoke to The Post, described the situation in disbelief. “I had to double-check,” he said after seeing his car crashed. “Once I did see it was my car, about a million things were going through my head.”
Quick-Thinking Parking Attendant Foils Thieves
The other thieves tried to make their getaway in the remaining luxury vehicles, but a quick-thinking parking attendant managed to stop them by shutting the garage’s front metal gate just as the robbers tried to escape. However, this action resulted in a white Range Rover being damaged, as the gate came down on its hood while its driver attempted to flee.
Damage and Chaos
The chaos didn’t stop there. The robbers were also seen fleeing in their own gray BMW after the failed heist. They were able to drive off, leaving behind the damaged vehicles and a trail of destruction.
One victim, identified as Hassam, whose light-colored Volvo was also targeted, explained, “My car was severely damaged… The front glass was shattered. My car key was inside. The car key was inside the car.”
The Investigation
The NYPD is still investigating the incident, but as of Sunday afternoon, the robbers had not been apprehended. The thieves’ getaway vehicle, the gray BMW, remains a key piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation.
Summary Table
| Key Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Parking garage on West 43rd Street near 11th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan |
| Incident Time | Around 6 a.m. on Sunday |
| Targeted Vehicles | 2020 McLaren, black Mercedes G Wagon, white Range Rover, Volvo |
| Outcome | Thieves attempted to steal cars, McLaren crashed, Range Rover damaged |
| Thieves’ Getaway Vehicle | Gray BMW |
| Police Action | Ongoing investigation, no arrests made at the time of reporting |
This botched luxury car heist serves as a reminder of the daring, yet flawed, attempts criminals make to steal expensive vehicles. Thanks to quick action from a parking attendant and some missteps by the thieves, the majority of the vehicles were recovered — though the stolen McLaren and damaged Volvo are reminders of the chaos caused by the failed crime.
