It seems that taking ZR1s from GM's factory is easier than stealing them from a dealership | Carscoops

      Authorities apprehended one suspect and recovered both vehicles shortly after the incident.

      Approximately 6 hours earlier

      by Stephen Rivers

      Reports indicate that two Chevrolet Corvette ZR1s were stolen from the factory on Friday.

      Law enforcement quickly found the cars but were only able to arrest one of the drivers.

      This incident marks the second time this year that Corvettes have been taken from the same facility.

      If there’s one secure location for a vehicle, it should be at the factory where it's manufactured. However, that isn’t the case at the Bowling Green Production facility for the Chevrolet Corvette. Just before the weekend began last Friday, two individuals drove off with brand new Corvette ZR1s, leaving the plastic wrap on the vehicles.

      Also: Thieves Break Into Ford Plant And Steal 14 Edge SUVs Worth Half A Million

      Given that these are high-performance supercars boasting 1,064 horsepower (793 kW), it’s no surprise that nearly every nearby law enforcement agency got involved in the search, including the Kentucky State Police, Bowling Green Police Department, and the Warren County Sheriff’s office, among others.

      Prompt arrest, rapid recovery

      As reported by WBKO, officers quickly arrested a 20-year-old man in relation to the theft. Authorities were able to recover both cars shortly after the theft and successfully spiked the tires of one vehicle, capturing its driver.

      Neither car sustained damage, but the second driver was not present when police located the other car. A local woman listening to police radios noted that the time from theft to recovery was less than 90 minutes.

      Butler County lost track of it; the last speeds recorded were over 180— Roseanna Phelps (@rosphlps) August 9, 2025

      Multiple charges filed

      The detained suspect now faces several charges, including engaging in organized crime, first-degree fleeing, first-degree wanton endangerment, theft by unlawful taking, first-degree criminal mischief, tampering with evidence, and obscuring the identity of a machine. The second driver remains at large, and according to radio reports, their speed reached over 180 mph during the pursuit at times.

      Also: Thieves Steal 8 New Corvettes From GM’s Factory, Drop Them Off At Lowe’s

      Interestingly, the Martin County, Indiana Sheriff’s office, located about two hours from Bowling Green, is searching for a man following a vehicle chase and crash. While it remains uncertain if Dennis Smith, the individual in question, is directly connected to the Corvette thefts, some sources speculate there may be a link. Notably, this incident marks the second theft from the Corvette factory this year.