It was under the dark of night in late July, when at least one criminal pulled a vehicle up to P.C. Motors, a used car dealership at 3202 W. Baker St. The suspects left a trail of muddy footprints police say were at the scene of other robberies.
After shattering a back window, the suspects ransacked the joint, taking everything except the cars and a desk.
“They took the brand new TV in a lounge area we have, computers, even food from the refrigerator,” Sales Manager George Willits said.
Despite having an alarm system, Willits was never alerted to the robbery of the new business he co-owns with Kristina Ellis. The robbers cut the power and phone lines, and the system malfunctioned.
When Willits walked into the office the next day, he noticed the laptop off his desk was missing. But, it wasn’t until Willits checked the garage that he knew the full extent of the burglary. In addition to the electronics, all the tools and detailing equipment were also taken. Total loss was about $10,000 — a steep price to pay considering the business had just opened in March. The police didn’t find any fingerprints, and Willits said he still hasn’t heard of any developments with his case.
The only witness to the crime was a shop cat named Jag. Doing a little research of his own, Willits wasn’t able to find any of his equipment in pawn shops or online.
“It was devastating,” Willits said. “It’s a struggle trying to replace a financial setback. But, we love the area. We’re still excited for business.”
Willits has been in the car industry for four years. He previously spent 22 years as a veterinary tech.
“I decided I wanted to branch out and try different things,” Willits said. “Both jobs are very customer service-oriented.”
Willits got his start in the industry through a temporary job as an office clerk at a dealership, eventually switching over to sales. Living in the Tampa Bay area for 13 years, Willits began to do research on where to open up his own shop.
Plant City seemed like the perfect fit.
“We just saw a niche of what we wanted to accomplish and what services we wanted to provide,” Willits said. “We want to be more open and honest with people. A little more friendly with better quality at a lower price.”
The dealership offers affordable options for those with a lower income or poor or no credit. P.C. Motors works with eight different banks and credit unions.
Willits has outfitted the shop with a better security system, walled up the back window and is ready to continue business.
“I saw an opportunity to continue to help people and be more involved with something I have a passion for,” Willits said.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.