Savannah police have opened a criminal investigation after a series of vehicle thefts that were facilitated through the valet services of two downtown hotels.
On the evening of August 5, a guest at the Fairfield Inn left a black 2019 Toyota C‑HR in the hotel’s valet area, providing a retrieval code that allowed a thief to access the vehicle. The car vanished from the hotel’s parking garage after being reported missing around 7 p.m., and despite a search of the garage, officers have not located it.
A week later, on August 14, the Hyatt on the River reported that a white 2025 Audi A5 had been taken from its valet lot. The theft was logged the day before, and investigators soon linked the incident to the same individual who had taken the Toyota.
Using the stolen Audi, the suspect then commandeered a gray 2026 BMW X5 valued at approximately $90,000. He claimed to be a professional basketball player and used the vehicle to transport the car to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where it was last seen before being reported stolen.
Police Appeal for Community Help
Savannah police say the pattern of thefts points to a coordinated effort that exploits the valet system and false identities. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing hotel staff, and following leads on the suspect’s movements. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the individual or the vehicles to come forward.