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Tow truck thefts are a trend we’ve been seeing for some time. You may know that criminals target Dodges, Kias, Hyundais, and certain luxury brands, but what you may not know is that many are constantly out to steal a tow truck. Unfortunately, a mechanic died while searching for his stolen tow truck, which sheds light on the unfortunate crime trend.

Find out here which car manufacturer a politician blames for thefts.

According to a report by the Telegraph, 31-year-old Kenneth Lee Hawkins was pursuing the stolen 1995 Ford Rollback in his Dodge Ram pickup truck in Murray County, Georgia, at 4:30 a.m. on April 24 when the two trucks collided, fatally injuring Hawkins. The 47-year-old suspect survived the crash but was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Prior to this fatal accident, investigators concluded that the suspect had stolen the tow truck from a home in neighboring Whitfield County. However, Hawkins became aware of the theft and gave chase. It is not clear if the truck had an alarm or what alerted the owner at such an early hour of the morning.

Car thieves have learned that it is much easier to steal cars with a legal tow truck that they have stolen. Most people don’t ask questions when they come in the middle of the night and take a car. They can even steal vehicles in broad daylight without raising much suspicion.

An obituary for Hawkins describes a loving family man who was willing to help strangers or others in need. An ASE-certified mechanic, he worked at various garages before eventually opening his own shop called Blue Oval Automotive and Performance. He obviously had a fondness for Fords and was known as “The Mustang Man.” He sounds like a great guy. And now he’s dead after trying to stop someone from stealing his hard-earned property.

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