Sometimes it’s a good thing when a vehicle breaks down.
Eureka Police found an SUV broken down and blocking the entrance to Valvoline Instant Oil Change, 555 W. Fifth St., the same morning the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali XL was stolen from Eureka Auto Collision Center, 1023 W. Fifth St.
Officers were called to Eureka Auto Collision Center after a garage window was shattered above a key-drop-off slot. Keys for a Ford pickup and the Yukon were taken from a box, the report said.
The cost to replace the broken window was estimated at $100, the report said.
Surveillance video showed a man on the auto repair center’s parking lot trying to get into vehicles at about 5 a.m. Aug. 31. It then showed him near the garage where the SUV was parked, and a short time later, he was seen driving away in the SUV, according to the report.
The SUV was found at about 9:15 a.m. at Valvoline Instant Oil Change. It appeared to have been left at the repair shop after it broke down because it had transmission problems, Eureka Police said.
The SUV was returned to its owner, the report said.
As of Sept. 10, police had not identified the man seen in the surveillance footage, Lt. Michael Werges said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Eureka Police at 636-938-6600.