Police Detect Fire at Used Car Lot.
By: Charlie De Mar
Updated: November 28, 2012
Arson is believed to be the cause of a fire that broke out at a used car lot late last night on Fort Wayne's southeast side.
Multiple cars caught fire and at least ten other vehicles were damaged.
"Why they didn't put any other car on fire, it had to be that one I don't know because the entrances were closed," said Pedro Marquez.
Police saw a fire coming from Marquez auto sales while patrolling the 2200 block of Fairfield Avenue late last evening. Pedro Marquez the owner of the car lot didn't know what to think when police called him.
"When you are already asleep for like a half hour and then you wake up you don't think anything the only thing you want to do is come and see what happened but at that time nothing came to my mind," said Marquez.
Along with the torched car, several vehicles were damaged from the fire and others severely keyed. At least ten cars were damaged in total. Police say they found scissors on the scene that may have been used to scratch the cars.
"I think the insurance and the police dept and detective dept needs to do something about this issue because if they don't do anything businesses are going to go away," said Marquez.
At this time there are no suspects, but Jim Taylor who repossesses cars for Marquez auto sales says he has a pretty good idea as to who is responsible for the crime.
It was a vehicle that had been repossesses thanksgiving night we are led to believe that the prior owner of the vehicle may be the suspect," said Taylor.
"We don't want to be forgotten this is a business that's been in business for years and we're growing that means we generate a lot of taxes in this community," said Marquez.
Marquez says he has thought many ways to make the lot safer at night, even installing cameras, but he has his doubts.
When you put in a camera, somebody can come with a hood, what can you see with a camera, you can't see anything," said Marquez.
The case is still under investigation, but Marquez says the alleged arson caused nearly $80,000 of damage.
