Thief sneaks classic car out of Lake Highlands man's driveway

A 1965 red Mustang convertible was stolen recently from a man’s Lake Highlands driveway.

The victim's neighbor's surveillance camera caught the car thief as he put the car into neutral, pushed it down the street and out of sight before starting it up.

J.W. “Dubber” Hammett, who owns the car, couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the video. The bright red classic car with a tan ragtop has been his “baby” for 23 years.

“When you've got a classic for that many years, so many people loved it and so many people would comment,” said Hammett.

Hammett, a drummer, had returned from a gig early Saturday morning. The car was parked in its driveway -– the usual spot.

But by lunch time it had vanished.

Hammett thinks that the thief was a pro who was able to get around an anti-theft device.

“After finding my device he probably rewired behind it and then did his regular hot wiring job,” said Hammett.

Hammett's longtime friend Mike Hooper who lives several doors down saw Hammett's Facebook posts about the theft and decided to check his home security cameras.

Lo and behold, there was footage of the theft.

“I was kind of hoping the guy would turn his face around and look at the camera,” said Hooper.

Hammett knows the real value of his mustang may be sentimental, or in the "cool" factor of such a distinct car that’s now in the hands of a thief.

“Online through our research, they range from $9,000 to $50,000,” said Hammett. I can tell you, it's not $50,000 and it's certainly not $9,000.”

Hammett really wants his car back but is also eager to see the thief prosecuted.

He filed a police report and plans to meet with a detective on Wednesday.