Would-be car thief strikes out 9 times, police say

MADISON, Wis. — A would-be car thief struck out nine times Sunday morning while trying to steal a vehicle from an east side car dealership, Madison police said.

Damage was reported Sunday morning to seven cars and vans on the sales lot at Capitol Auto Sales at 3100 East Washington Avenue, according to a release.

Investigators said it appeared someone used a slim jim-type device to damage windows and gain access to the interiors of cars, where the person then tried to start engines by tinkering with steering columns.

A manager told officers it would cost thousands of dollars to repair the cars and vans.

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