Would-be Ferrari thief at exotic-car rental business near LAX thwarted by metal gate

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A would-be car thief was caught on video breaking into an exotic car rental business in an apparent effort to steal a Ferrari, McLaren or another high-end vehicle.

He was thwarted, however, by a less-than-exotic security measure: A metal gate that he just couldn't smash through.

The suspect, who made no attempts to disguise his face, is seen breaking into the office of Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car and swiping the keys to most of the cars on the lot.

He got into a less-expensive Honda and tried to use it to ram the metal fence and gate surrounding the business's parking lot. When that didn't work, he also tried with a McLaren.

Photos of the aftermath show the result: A gate that is badly smashed, but not enough to squeeze through in a Lamborghini.

Other cars were also damaged. One Ferrari was doused in gasoline and another vehicle had the interior paneling ripped out.

The manager of the self-insured business said at least $50,000 in damage was done to the vehicles.

It is believed he was on the lot for more than two hours before giving up and fleeing.

The business's manager said the suspect was at the site earlier in the day apparently drunk, harassing employees and singing. They kicked him out.

Beverly Hills Rent-A-Car offers rentals of exotic cars like Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens and luxury cars like Bentleys and Rolls Royces, some at prices exceeding $1,000 a day. The thief hit the business's location on Sepulveda Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport.

"We're a small company. We're self-insured, so it was kind of a hit, you know. I wasn't sure what happened. I'm just glad none of my employees were here," said manager Logan Hofkamp.

The business's owners are hoping someone will recognize the suspect from the surveillance images and contact the Los Angeles Police Department with information.