Tri-Cities thieves tow Honda from store parking lot and strip it at a ‘chop shop’

A Tri-Cities car owner thought he’d done everything he could to protect his Honda Civic from thieves.

FBI statistics show the cars are one of the most stolen models nationwide.

So this owner removed the battery, used a steering wheel lock and locked the doors when he left it parked at the Pasco Albertsons store.

But car thieves still managed to steal it.

Pasco police believe the culprits loaded the Honda onto a trailer and tow it away.

Then the skilled car thieves stripped out the engine, interior and wheels — likely at a nearby “chop shop.”

What was left was abandoned about four blocks away on the 2300 block of Ruby Street.

All that investigators found in the Albertsons parking lot at the corner of Court Street and 20th Avenue were some drag marks, police said.

The owner had left the car in the parking lot on Monday, and sometime between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Friday it was stolen, police said. Security cameras in the area were not working part of the time so there was no footage of the theft.

“The police and Albertsons did not have it towed,” Pasco police said on Facebook. “If you towed it for a customer, we’d like to hear from you.”

The engine, interior, wheels, tires and lights were taken and it was left on junk wheels, police said. A neighbor believed it was dropped off there Saturday or Sunday.

“This would imply that somewhere near Court Street and 20th Avenue, we have a garage or shop being used as a ‘chop shop’ by someone skilled enough to strip and engine and interior over a weekend,” police said.

Police are asking anyone with information about the theft to call police dispatchers at 509-628-0333 or email Officer Dave Herrera at herrerad@pasco-wa.gov and refer to case number 20-22038.