UPDATED: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 --- 5:20 p.m.

Tonight police are investigation a possible professional car theft ring in our area.

Four brand new vehicles have been stolen off of car dealership lots in the last few days.

We're talking about the cream of the crop. Brand new powerful sports cars, a luxury pickup and a 2010 Buick, all stolen right off of the dealership lots.

Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley says, "That tells you it's probably not something that's a local operation."

Police in both Monroe and Watertown believe the thefts could be part of a professional car theft ring, the vehicles taken to chop shops in metro areas and used for parts.

Kelley says, "They knew how to get in there and get out in a very short period of time without getting caught."

The four vehicles were all taken in the last 4 days.

Dearth GMC Bryan Rach says, "It's something you see on TV but don't think it's going to happen to you."

At Dearth GMC in Monroe they say they've never had a new car stolen off the lot.

Rach says, "When we found out more than one vehicle was stolen we thought, well how many vehicles were stolen?"

Rach says a $48,000 dollar GMC Denali pickup and a Buick Lucerne worth $34,000 are gone.

Their parking spots are still empty.

Whoever did this in Monroe had some cover when they took the car. They were on the side of the building. But when they went to grab the truck they were in front where anyone could have seen.

Rach says, "It is the busiest intersection in town."

Police say we're looking at bold, highly skilled criminals, not scared off by traffic or well lit lots.

At Kaiser in Watertown someone took a Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger both valued at more than $25,000 dollars.

Kelley says, "This is one of those cases where if somebody wants it bad enough, they're sophisticated enough, there is very little a dealer can do."

And very little chance they'll see their vehicles again.

Police say they plan increased patrols but in many cases professional thefts are hit and run jobs where the criminals will move on to another city.

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UPDATED Tuesday, November 24, 2009 --- 12:05 p.m.

Updated Release from the Monroe Police Department:

On 11/23/09, the Monroe Police Department began an investigation into a report that two vehicles had been stolen from the Dearth GMC dealership, in the 600 block of 8th Street on Monroe's west side.

The dealership discovered that a 2010 GMC Sierra Denali pick-up, valued at about $48,000 and a 2010 Buick Lucerne, valued at about $34,000 were missing from the dealership lot. The keys to each vehicle had been locked in a small lock box which is attached to a window of each vehicle. It is believed that the thefts likely occurred during the overnight hours of 11/21/09 through 11/22/09.

The Police Department is following leads and checking with regional police agencies who may have had similar thefts, as well as vehicle theft task forces in a two state area.

Monroe Police are seeking assistance from the public in investigating these thefts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Department at (608) 329-2400, or Green County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-IC-CRIME (1-800-422-7462). Callers may be eligible for a cash reward and can remain anonymous.

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Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2009 --- 10:18 a.m.
Release from the Monroe Police Department:

On 11-23-09 at approximately 7:47 A.M. officers responded to a report of vehicle thefts from the 600 block of 8th Street. Two vehicles were reported stolen from a Monroe car dealership. A 2010 black GMC Denali truck valued at approximately $48,000.00 and a 2010 silver Buick Lucerne valued at $34,000.00 were taken. Investigation continues.