Fort Lauderdale Police Investigate Hefty Jet Burglary
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- The owners of a jet parked in Fort Lauderdale says a burglar or burglars stole $350,000 worth of gear.
When the owners of the Gulfstream G-3, 14 passenger jet climbed on board their plane at World Jet at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Saturday, they were stunned when they realized they'd been cleaned out of pricey equipment.
Daniel Madero is one of the plane's co-owners. He pointed out missing equipment located behind a wood panel and several more from the cockpit. The radar, GPS and navigation systems were gone. In all, they said, an estimated $350,000 worth of avionics were taken.
The plane owners said whoever ripped them off was a pro, not just some street crook. They knew what they wanted and how to get it.
"We know that the person who accessed the plane knew exactly what was on board," said co-owner James Blackburn. "They knew exactly what they were looking for. They knew exactly how to remove it and they did just that."
They figure it took up to 45 minutes to do the job. Another plane they own was hit too. A couple planes down had part of the hydraulics on the front landing gear swiped. There's more evidence that the thief was an aviation pro. They sealed the hydraulic lines when they were through.
"They capped them off," said Madero. "They didn't have to. Obviously, they were really nice crooks who did that."
Each piece of equipment has a serial number. If those parts are used in a plane in the U.S., the serial number will have to be recorded. The owners believe the equipment may have been shipped overseas.
Anyone with information in the case is urged to call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493- TIPS.