Ford dealership vehicles vandalized

Corning Ford opened its doors Monday to the sight of 25 brand news cars with windows broken, center dashes torn up and navigation/radio touch screen units stolen, the Corning Police Department reported.

"We have had minor break-ins and vandalism before, but nothing like this," said Corning Ford General Manager Paul Sutfin.

The dealership reported the incident about 7:45 a.m., and told Police Department a chain to the entrance gate of Corning Ford on Short Drive had been cut.

It appears, after the vandals broke the window glass on the vehicles they crawled inside to strip the navigation/radio systems out, police said.

Sutfin said of the 26 vehicles broken in to, 25 were Ford Super Duty pickups, and one a Ford GT Mustang, which only had a broken window, but nothing missing, police reported.

The dealership said the navigation systems are worth about $2,000 each, with a total of $63,000 in total damages and loss.

All of the vehicles were insured and will be completely repaired, Sutfin said.

The Ford dealership, which is also sells Mercury, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, has been located on Short Drive in Corning since 1997.

Police said they will be reviewing the dealership's surveillance video and are hopeful arrests will be made.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Corning Police Department at 824-7000.