Papa John's Camaro recovered, 2 stolen collector cars still missing

Image 1 of 5

Detroit police track down one of the three cars stolen during the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Officers found the 1972 Z28 replica Camaro parked in the driveway of an abandoned house, thanks to a tip. But two other classic cars are still missing.

Jomo Fagans and the crew from Payne Landscaping were hard at work on Pierson Street in Detroit when Fagans saw something that just did not look right.

"Wow, is that a Camaro sitting over there," Fagans said. "Then I pulled it up on my phone and we already knew it was the Papa John's vehicle."

Police say the replica Camaro owned by the founder of Papa John's was in town for the Dream Cruise classic car show and was stolen in downtown Detroit Sunday morning.

"We've been fortunate enough to recover all vehicles involved in the theft including the initial pickup that was pulling the enclosed trailer," said Sgt. Jonathan Parnell of the Detroit police.

A spokesperson for Papa John's says they are thrilled that "a piece of our company's history has been recovered."

The outside of car was untouched, with a few scratches," said Jack Ventimiglia, a Papa John's franchise owner. "The steering column was broken because that's how they stole it."

Now that the car has been recovered police say they still need your help to find the people responsible.

"We are still asking for tip calls at (313) 596-2555 or 1-800-242-HEAT," said Parnell, adding that anyone providing the information about the case could make up to a $10,000 reward.

Papa John's says it will issue a $16,000 reward to the individual who discovered and alerted authorities to the car's whereabouts, once the investigation is closed.

And as the search continues for the suspects, the search also continues for two other classic cars stolen during the Dream Cruise.

Birmingham Police are still searching for a 1966 red Corvette and Bloomfield Hills Police are searching for a 1966 Chevelle owned by a North Carolina man.

"I'm happy for Papa John's, (but) I sure would like to get my car back," said Jerry Anderson, who owns the Chevelle.

The suspect's vehicle is an older model, full size Chevrolet Conversion Van with a Michigan Plate beginning with AGT.