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Thieves make off with 'Extreme Makeover' vehicle in Albuquerque

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Call it "Extreme Theft Auto."

Police say somebody stole an "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" utility truck from the parking lot of a hotel near the Big-I on Tuesday night — the same day the crew unveiled a new home to a Southeast Heights family.

The show was in town to build a home for the Martinez family, who live in the Trumbull Village neighborhood, known for its history of crime and poverty — a fact mentioned repeatedly on promotional material for the show.

"The irony is that everyone told us about the neighborhood the house was in," said Darren Drevik, spokesman for Atreus Homes and Communities, the lead builder on many of the shows. "But we were nothing but safe in the Trumbull neighborhood, and we have had problems in this supposedly safe part of town."

The Embassy Suites from which the truck was taken is at 1000 Woodward Place N.E., near I-25 and Lomas Boulevard.

Drevik said a crew member's vehicle was broken into earlier in the week in the hotel's parking lot. Neither vehicle belonged to Atreus, he said. He thought the stolen truck belonged to ABC, the network that produces the show.

Mark Gundlach, general manager for the hotel, said there was additional security while the crew was in town, and that he was sorry it didn't prevent the theft.

"It was so unfortunate because the group has been such an amazing group to work with, and they're such great people," he said. "At the end of a week, you feel really connected to them. I feel personally offended that this happened."

Albuquerque police spokesman John Walsh said the truck is a white 2006 Ford F-550 crew cab. It has Oregon license plates with the number 813CGQ, and has two large fuel tanks in the bed, Walsh said.

He said there are no suspects.

Drevik said the truck was part of a mobile system that generates power for lights and other set equipment.

ABC representatives did not return phone calls Wednesday afternoon.