Milwaukee mother’s SUV taken from repair shop lot by unmarked tow truck, police investigate theft

Vehicle taken from private repair lot near 99th Street and Carmen Avenue

A Milwaukee mother reported her vehicle was stolen from an auto repair shop’s lot in broad daylight over the weekend of March 1–2, 2026, after surveillance video captured an unmarked tow truck removing the SUV from the property. The theft has left the owner without transportation for work and for her child’s daily needs, while police work to identify the driver and determine where the vehicle was taken.

The vehicle, a red Nissan Murano, had been dropped off for service on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, at a repair business located near West 99th Street and West Carmen Avenue. The owner said she was notified on Monday, March 1, that the vehicle was no longer on the lot.

Surveillance video shows tow-away without markings or plates

Video from the repair shop’s cameras shows a person wearing high-visibility clothing attaching the SUV to a tow truck and pulling it from the lot while the business was closed. The tow truck visible in the footage appears to lack company logos and did not display license plates.

The owner stated the vehicle was fully paid off and said there were no circumstances that would typically explain a legitimate tow, such as repossession or outstanding municipal citations. The SUV was parked on private property at the time it was taken.

Repair shop cooperation and questions about responsibility

The repair shop’s owner has said he did not recognize the tow truck or the driver shown in the footage and has been cooperating with investigators. The vehicle owner has also raised questions about responsibility when a customer’s vehicle is stolen while in a business’s care, a situation that can involve insurance coverage, contractual terms, and the specific circumstances of the loss.

Theft from business lots presents challenges for victims because vehicles may be moved quickly, sometimes to locations outside the immediate area.

How vehicle-theft cases are typically processed in Milwaukee

Milwaukee Police Department procedures for vehicle theft investigations include steps to confirm vehicle ownership and to check whether a vehicle has been towed through official channels before it is entered as stolen. Once a theft is confirmed and reported, the vehicle’s information is entered into law-enforcement databases used to support recovery efforts and interagency coordination.

What investigators need from the public

Authorities have said the case remains under investigation and that no arrests had been announced as of Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Investigators are seeking information that could identify:

• the tow truck (unique features, damage, equipment, or route)
• the driver (appearance, clothing, and any distinguishing details)
• where the SUV was taken (nearby lots, storage yards, or secondary locations)

Police are urging anyone with relevant video, eyewitness information, or knowledge of the vehicle’s whereabouts to contact Milwaukee authorities.