Man living in Switzerland charged for stealing antique car from Milwaukee

(CBS 58) – The U.S. Department of Justice in the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced a five-count indictment against an American citizen living in Switzerland.

According to the indictment, 63-year-old Christopher Gardner burglarized a garage in Milwaukee on March 4, 2001.

Court documents say Gardner stole a 1938 Talbot Lago T150C-SS Teardrop Coupe. It is one of only 16 ever made.

It is believed Gardner stored the car until July 2005.

According to the indictment, Gardner forged documents that the car had been recovered and was in his possession. According to the Wisconsin DOJ, Gardner exported the car to Switzerland in 2007 and stored it in France between 2007-2015. In 2015, he allegedly offered it for sale to a potential buyer in Illinois.

In August 2005, the Illinois buyer bought the car through an LLC for $7.6 million, the indictment says. It is believed Gardner had the car transported from Switzerland to Chicago in 2015.

Gardner is facing wire fraud charges and transportation of a motor vehicle in foreign commerce.

He faces up to 30 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

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