TRIBECA — A thief posing as an auto repair worker cruised out of a Desbrosses Street parking garage with a stolen $130,000 Maserati last week, police said.
The suspect told workers at the Quik Park Tribeca II garage, 34 Desbrosses St., that he had permission to drive the 2012 Maserati Gran Turismo to the auto body shop where he worked, garage workers told police.
The man identified himself only as James but said he worked for Formula 1 Auto Body on 23rd Street in Long Island City, police said. Workers released the car to him about 4 p.m. Friday and the man drove away.
But when the 52-year-old fashion photographer who owns the black two-door sports car came to pick it up after leaving it there on July 21, he said he had not authorized anyone to take it.
Formula 1 Auto Body told police the thief had been fired several days earlier, on July 30.
Both the parking garage and auto body shop declined to comment on the investigation.
Police did not immediately provide a description of the suspect.
