Maurice Plemel figures his staff won’t be fooled again after a would-be customer made off with a truck last week.

The theft was well-rehearsed and he doesn't think they could have done anything at the time to prevent it, said Plemel, the owner of Colony Chevrolet GMC Buick dealership in Humboldt.

“It was very professional in the way they took it.”

On Thursday night a woman came into the dealership to look at a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado. She gave a fake name and phone number, and when she was looking at the vehicle distracted the salesperson and switched the key on the key fob with an identical fake, Plemel said.

The woman then refused a test drive and made an excuse that she had to leave and would return the next morning. Plemel believes she then came back at night and stole the truck.

The next morning staff noticed it was missing. General manager Kevin Plemel posted a picture of the stolen truck on Facebook and a local hunter happened to spot it hidden in a bush south of town and called the RCMP, Plenel said. It was recovered, undamaged, by noon Friday.

The trick won’t work twice, he said.

“We determined now we will try and recognize a situation like that again and of course we would go out and try the key after the person has left to see if the switch has been made.”

Police have been made aware of the situation, and sent out a news release on Monday afternoon, stating that they are seeking information from the public to help their investigation.