Oct. 15--Kingstree police are searching for a man they say tricked an auto parts dealer into helping him take a trailer and an air conditioning unit from a local car lot.

The theft happened Thursday at Tismoe Auto Wholesale in Kingstree, but the items weren't reported missing until several days later because the owner thought someone had borrowed it, Kingstree Police Chief Robert Ford said.

Joe Tisdale, owner of Tismoe, said he was away from his car lot when a man drove up and told a salesperson from a neighboring auto parts dealer he'd just purchased a truck from Tismoe. The suspect said he'd also purchased the trailer and was coming back to haul it away.

The salesperson helped the suspect hitch the trailer -- which was carrying Tisdale's home air conditioning unit -- to a his vehicle before driving away.

"The man was so casual and so laid back," Tisdale said. "... he (the salesperson) didn't even know."

Tisdale said he thought someone had borrowed the trailer, but was horrified when he discovered it had been stolen.

The 12-foot wide and 30-foot long trailer is worth about $3,500, Tisdale said. The air conditioning unit is worth about $2,000.

"That's terrible. We've got to get this guy. I'm hoping the Lord will bless us, because this guy is just too bold," Tisdale said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police department at (843) 355-5435 or the state Crime Stoppers hotline at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Florence Morning News, S.C.

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