Baldwin County Court To Decide Fate of '68 Camaro At Center of Stolen Car Mystery

Erica Thomas • March 5, 2025

The seizure case has received national attention over the years

Baldwin County Court To Decide Fate of '68 Camaro At Center of Stolen Car Mystery

Bay Minette, Ala. – (OBA) – American car collectors have ranked the 1968 Camaro as one of the most treasured cars to own. One such car has become the center of attention in a case for Baldwin County Courts. If you have been following the years-long battle over seizure law, you may be happy to know the case may soon come to an end.


Erica Thomas, of 1819 News, is reporting The case of a seized 1968 Chevrolet Camaro is back in the hands of the Baldwin County Circuit Court.


The Camaro was a birthday present from his wife and son for Thomas Craig Hadley. They purchased it in 2016 from another Baldwin County resident, who had bought it from a Limestone County resident five years prior.


The vehicle identification number (VIN) on the title matched the VIN issued to a Camaro in Oklahoma in 2002. Hadley used that VIN to register the car in Baldwin County and purchase insurance. Upon investigation, the VIN returned to a V-8 Camaro made at the Chevrolet plant in Norwood, Calif.


After someone in Tennessee registered the same VIN, Alabama Department of Revenue agents came to inspect Hadley’s vehicle. The agents wanted to inspect the VIN on the dashboard, under the windshield wiper cowl and on the blower motor housing.


The officials could not remove the dashboard or wiper cowl, but Hadley said he helped them reach the blower motor housing, where they discovered a different VIN.


That VIN came back to a V-6 Camaro stolen out of Kansas in 2003.


However, Hadley claims it was clear that a piece of the inner fender had been removed and welded back in place, indicating that the area around the blower motor had been previously accessed. Still, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office seized the vehicle and handed possession to the Kansas resident who reported a Camaro stolen in 2003.


A Baldwin County Court ruled the seizure was illegal. The case was appealed, and the lower court's ruling was reversed, and the case was sent back to Baldwin County.


Hadley maintains that his car is not the same one stolen from Kansas. He is asking for a declaratory judgment determining his rights, duties and obligations.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Orange Beach Library
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The American Heart Association has launched a new health program at the Orange Beach Public Library. The initiative is called Libraries with Heart and is designed to help residents monitor their blood pressure at home. Community partners say the effort will give people easier access to...
Gulf Shores Shifts Business License Renewals To Email Only
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Starting this December, the city will no longer send business and rental license renewal forms through traditional U.S. mail. Instead, all renewal forms will be delivered only by email. City officials say the change is meant to be more efficient. They also hope it will save money and...
New Foley Library Frees Space For Senior Center
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — City leaders in Foley are planning major changes to the current public library building. The work is meant to improve access for older adults and people with disabilities. The building will later become the city’s Senior Center. The plans are tied to the construction of a new library.
Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge Construction Continues On Schedule
By OBA Staff December 7, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Construction on the City of Gulf Shores Pedestrian Bridge is moving forward on schedule, with steady work visible on both sides of the project. Crews are working on the bridge structure as well as nearby parking and streetscape improvements. City officials say the work is designed to...
Orange Beach Finance Dept.
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Orange Beach has launched a new online portal for business licenses and related applications. The system uses OpenGov Permitting & Licensing. City leaders say it will cut paperwork, save time and money. They expect faster decisions for businesses and residents.
New State Guidance Shifts Baldwin County School Counseling Procedures
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Robertsdale, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County Public Schools Superintendent Eddie Tyler has notified parents about an important change to counseling consent rules. He said he usually shares policy updates in his back‑to‑school email each August, but this situation is different. The district began the year collecting...
City of South Baldwin Hospital Artist's Rendering
By OBA Staff December 6, 2025
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley officials are adding new traffic control near the city’s hospital as services and patient numbers continue to grow. The city plans to change an existing intersection to better handle the heavier traffic. Leaders say the change is meant to improve safety as well as traffic flow. Residents...
Orange Beach Recreation Campus Gets Major Upgrades
By John Mullen December 5, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Plans continue in Orange Beach to make improvements to the recreation campus in the northwest intersection of Canal Road and Wilson Boulevard. Pickleball courts and expanded parking are already underway and, work has begun on Contorno Park on the western edge of the campus. Next on the...
Rising Food Costs And Seasonal Employment Dip Create Urgent Need
By OBA Staff December 5, 2025
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — Local musicians are joining forces to help struggling families in lower Baldwin County through a benefit concert. The event aims to raise funds and collect food donations for the Christian Service Center. Six musical acts will perform at the fundraiser called Pantry Stock.
Perdido Beach Resort
By OBA Staff December 4, 2025
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — According to Hotel Business, an Alabama-based investor group has purchased Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach. The new owners say the popular Gulf Coast property will remain under local leadership. They also say they are committed to its long-term future. The resort has served families...
Show More