Surveillance cameras captured a group of thieves stealing a Dodge Charger from an apartment complex in Studio City.
The car’s owner, Stefan Wendel, said he was alerted that his car had been stolen by the apartment manager. She said: Your car is gone. Your car has been stolen. calm.’ “It was surreal.”
On October 21, around 4 a.m., the thieves used a tool to break into the garage through the back gate. Security video captured at least three men making their way into Wendel’s 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392.
“They got inside [the garage] “They’ve been there for a while,” Wendell told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade. “They got into my car and started the car, I don’t know how.”
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Two of the three suspects were caught on surveillance footage stealing a Dodge Charger from the parking garage of an apartment complex in Studio City on October 21, 2025. (Stefan Wendel) -
The suspects’ white Cadillac sedan pulled into the garage while they waited for a resident to open the parking gate. (Stefan Wendel) -
Victim Stefan Wendel speaks to KTLA on October 22, 2025. (KTLA) -
The victim is a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392. (Stefan Wendel) -
One suspect kept the gate open while the second suspect ran to retrieve the Dodge Charger. Moments later, they sped off. (Stefan Wendel) -
Surveillance cameras caught three suspects stealing a 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 from the parking garage of an apartment complex in Studio City on October 21, 2025. (Stefan Wendel)
However, while trying to get out of the garage, they run into a problem – the gate requires an access code to open. The trio got out of the car and started looking for a solution.
“They were looking for a clicker in my car, so they opened all the doors and the trunk,” Wendel said.
After failing to find a way out, they re-parked the car and returned to their nearby white Cadillac while they waited for a resident to return home and open the garage gate.
After waiting for an hour, a resident arrived and opened the gate. Surveillance video showed the suspects’ Cadillac quickly stopping outside as two men got out and ran to prevent the gate from closing.
One man went to retrieve the Dodge Charger while the second man opened the gate. Moments later, the car disappeared.
A neighbor discovered the theft and tried to chase the men, but they sped away, Wendel said.
Wendell has lived in the Studio City residential complex for nearly 20 years, and said he was surprised that he was targeted because the neighborhood is relatively safe.
He has filed a police report and hopes the thieves will be caught soon before they target someone else.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information about the case can contact the Los Angeles Police Department at 1-877-527-3247.