Varsity Ford employee reunited with his stolen Mustang
Varsity Ford salesman Matt Stanford is pictured with his 1991 Mustang that was recently stolen, trailer and all, from the back lot at Varsity Ford. It was recovered in Brighton.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
To Matt Stanford, his red 1991 Ford Mustang is more than just a car — it's his "baby."
So when the Plymouth man realized Sunday morning that his car had been stolen from Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor — his family's business and his place of employment — he felt "sheer panic."
"And literally, I'm not afraid to say it, I broke down in tears," Stanford said. "It was my baby."
Stanford said the thief cut a chain to open the gate and stole both his car and the trailer it was resting on.
"As quickly as he got it out of here, he had to have had help," he said. "By the time the security guard made the rounds and got back to that side of the building, they had already gotten the car and gotten it out."
The vehicle was reported stolen to the Ann Arbor Police Department Sunday, and was recovered by Brighton police during a traffic stop at about 2:15 a.m. Monday, according to Ann Arbor police Lt. Angella Abrams.
The suspect, Hans Adam Geise, 26, of Brighton, was arrested and lodged at the Livingston County Jail on charges of stolen property, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, and receiving and concealing stolen property valued at at least $1,000 but not more than $20,000, according to officials.
Brighton Police Chief Thomas Wightman said Geise was arraigned Monday, and there are no other suspects at this time.
Stanford, a self-proclaimed "car guy," said it might be difficult for some people to understand how a vehicle could hold so much sentimental value. But he said his passion for his car is more than just a hobby.
"With all the time, effort, money and just the history of the car — normally it's not that big of a deal. You call the insurance company, you get another one," Stanford said. "Between all the hard work and money that's gone into it, there's no replacing it in my eyes."
He added, "It's been seven years of my life and labor working on it."
And when he got his car back, still in one piece, the next day, Stanford said, "I cried again. I was just overwhelmed. I thought I'd never see the car again, ever."
He added, "It's more than just a car. It's something that you build memories around. ... I've been all over (the country with the car), racing, and my friends and my family have been there with me."
Stanford said despite the incident, he still considers Varsity Ford to be "a very safe, secure place."
"This is the first time we've ever had a vehicle stolen from our service lot," he said. "We've been in business almost 30 years."
After being reunited with his car, Stanford had an unexpected visitor — the accused thief.
He showed up at Varsity Ford Tuesday with the straps used to strap the car to the trailer and a set of extra tires that were with the trailer, Stanford said.
"He tried to apologize. I accepted my straps and the tires and told him to 'get lost,' and that I would make sure he was prosecuted to the fullest for taking my car," he said.
"He definitely stole the wrong car from the wrong person because I haven't let it rest. There was no way he was getting away with this."
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com, reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Heather Lockwood
Tue, Sep 7, 2010 : 1:49 p.m.
@AlphaAlpha Matt Stanford is related to the owner of Varsity Ford. The beginning of the article reads, "So when the Plymouth man realized Sunday morning that his car had been stolen from Varsity Ford in Ann Arbor his family's business and his place of employment he felt 'sheer panic.'"
jbhuron
Sun, Sep 5, 2010 : 2:12 p.m.
A2mom: people like myself and Matt that work and pay thousands in property taxes with no kids have never complained. We do it gladly. So you're welcome. Hope your babies have a great first day of school!
Matt
Sat, Sep 4, 2010 : 9:08 a.m.
Lola-Thank you for the kind words. We here at Varsity strive to provide the best possible vehicle purchase and service experience. We have been been in business just shy of 30yrs here in Ann Arbor and I'm shooting to keep us that way for another 30. AlphaAlpha-Yes, Lou Stanford is my Uncle. I know my thoughts are bias, but I think he is one of most upstanding men I have ever been around. Terrin-Yes, you are correct. The old saying "Turn the other cheek" may apply, but after the 4th offense for similar crimes, I think "turning a cheek" wouldn't be the best choice.
Terrin
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:49 p.m.
I'm impressed the thief actually came and gave the victim his stuff back and said he was sorry. Now it is wrong to steal somebody's car, but apologizing takes guts considering the potential amount of jail time involved. What the thief did really proves the case against the thief. We live in bad times. People don't have work. Desperate times sometimes bring people to do desperate things. You can't find work at McDonalds right now. No doubt the thief should be punished, but he didn't kill anybody and without prompting and with detriment to his legal position he apologized. The guy certainly deserves more credit then a guy who didn't own up to his mistake. There is a saying about turning the other cheek.
readerone
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
Huuvola, you are so right. When I was a kid my uncle had a black mustang with red interior. I was in love with that car. Thanks for the memory.
AlphaAlpha
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 8:10 p.m.
Is Matt Stanford is related to Varsity Ford owner Lou Stanford? Seems likely...
Lola
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.
Matt, I'm glad you got your car back. Ignore the crabby women here. You seem like a very nice guy to me and grateful to the police for their top-notch work. True, things can be replaced but not when there are so many wonderful memories directly associated with them. I've never owned a Ford but if was ever going to buy one it would be from Varsity assuming all of the people there have character similar to yours.
Chris
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:08 p.m.
I know exactly how you felt Matt, last October my 1991 Ford Mustang Notchback got stolen out of the Pioneer High School parking lot. Same exact color as yours. Can't believe you got yours back. Mine has probably been parted and sold as parts. I'm just wondering if the guy that stole yours also stole mine. But I guess it doesn't really matter anymore since the car is long gone. Glad you got yours back though. (The news story is still on this website if you look up stolen mustang).
Jean
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:41 p.m.
In Ireland, where crime rates and repeat offender rates are low, there is a different perspective of restitution. The victim gets to state how the crime effected him personally and how the offender can make restitution. Perhaps, you can consider what you might propose if you had this opportunity. The kind of punishment like in the Irish model can make you feel better and perhaps effect change in the offender.
Gorc
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.
Matt - I'm happy that you were able to recover the Mustang, something that represents years of commitment and learning a craft. I would also press charges and prosecute Geise for the theft. When he returned the rest of your property, did his apology seem sincere or contrived? If you feel he was sincere, hopefully in time that will help you "let it rest.".
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 5:59 p.m.
It's ok and rather nice to issue a public thank you, since you have this nice news publication to to it in. :)
Matt
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:44 p.m.
Elaine F. Owsley-I spoke to the officer personally. He has a standing offer for anything I could ever help him with. He was very gracious and told me it was all part of the job. I told him to keep himself safe and continue the great work.
Jack
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.
Glad to see you got your ride back before he piled it into a tree or tore it apart. Wish I could have had the pleasure of finding him. Good job to Brighton PD!
Elaine F. Owsley
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 3:12 p.m.
Not one word of praise or thanks for the police who nabbed the crook and Matt's baby so soon after the theft. Let's hear it for the sharp-eyed Brighton police!!!! Matt - can you say "Thank you"?
John Tucker
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 1:43 p.m.
This is about right and wrong. Most of these stories don't end this well. These are all hard working men that have built these cars over many years. They are very supportive of each other and the camaraderie that exists with this group of racers is very strong. My sons have put countless hours into their Mustangs and race with Matt. My son went through this a few years ago and only got pieces of his car back. I am happy for Matt.
Matt
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
A2mom-I'm sorry you feel my car wasn't important. I guess we all have a different view of what's important in live. That's what makes us individuals Linda-Thank you for your comment. Yes, you are correct there have been New & Used vehicles stolen outside of our gates, but the service lot hasn't lost one up until now. It's a sad sign of the times. ffej440-I'm sorry you've never felt the same about one of your cars. I'm also sorry I was over come with emotion. I guess having something so near and dear to your heart stolen made me upset. I guess being human and having emotions is a problem. Have a great day
boom
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:29 a.m.
I can't believe the thief showed up and returned the extra set of tires. How often does that happen?
ffej440
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
A2moms point is being misunderstood.I am a car guy and I would agree with her. Through the course of life I had to part with many of my "Babies" due to divorce, unemployment etc.. There is no need to cry...The memories are always with you, The actual car (Or Thing) can be replaced. Matt needs to get a grip on what really counts.
Linda
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
Matt I am glad that you got your car back in one piece and that you are going to procecute the thief. It is a beautiful car and I know that it means alot to you. Ignore what some of these people are saying because just maybe they have never had a "thing" that meant alot to them. As for the thiefs I know that some of the new cars not behind the fences have been stolen over the years, but NEVER in the fenced service area. I have family that works at Varsity and I hear about everything. Again Matt, glad you got your Baby back.
scooter dog
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:50 a.m.
With the judges we have in this or any other county in michigan,He'll never,ever see the inside of a jail cell for taking this car.
mjwinkie
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:46 a.m.
My sister wishes she could get her mustang back, it was a 1971 mach- 1 boss 351 stolen from the wayne assembly plant.
Tom Perkins
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.
Alan, Not sure about Varsity, but this story is about lot thefts: http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-area-dealers-sees-spike-in-sophisticated-auto-theft/
DC175
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:41 a.m.
@Dirtgrain: There was a considerably more in depth story posted on Jalopnik a few days ago. If memory serves it is a single digit quarter mile car, or just barely above the 10 second mark.
CountyKate
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Huuvola, you are absolutely right. It's not so much the "thing" as the memories that go with it. I'm glad Mr. Stanford got his car back.
that's a tuffy
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Right on Huuvola
Huuvola
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
Hey A2mom, lighten up. That "thing" of his is sentimental because of the personal time and friendships involved with it. As a "car guy," I can tell you the relationships surrounding the cars are more important than the sheet metal. And if you've ever invested in a project that reflects your time, energy and personality -- be it a garden, your kid's Halloween costume or whatever, you might understand.
Dirtgrain
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:44 a.m.
What mods has he done to the car? Horsepower? Torque? Weight? Quarter-mile time?
A2mom
Fri, Sep 3, 2010 : 6:28 a.m.
Maybe one day he'll realize the important things in life aren't things!!