$4K in damage caused to custom-painted Heat Car

1992 Crown Victoria found in back yard of West Park home

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The owner of a custom-painted Miami Heat car on Friday said the thieves caused up to $4,000 in damage to his Crown Victoria.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies found Michael Murdock's car after 10 p.m. Thursday in the back yard of a vacant home in the 3300 block of Southwest 32nd Avenue in West Park. The vehicle was stolen sometime overnight Sunday.

The vehicle's radio was stolen and some of the interior was damaged.

Hoping to ease the pain, the Heat gave Murdock two tickets to Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"Thank you, thank you very much," Murdock said after learning that he'd be going to the game.

About the custom-made vehicle

Murdock's 1992, custom-painted red Crown Victoria features a rendering of the Heat's "Big Three" in a blaze of flames. It has after-market rims, low-profile tires and a big Heat logo on the hood.

"It means a lot. I'm a big Miami Heat fan," Murdock told Local 10's Roger Lohse. "I mean, I did it for a reason. I love LeBron, I love Wade -- I love all of them. I'm a fan since the Rony Seikaly days." 

Murdock had his prize car painted two years ago during LeBron James' first season with the team. Local 10 featured the vehicle in a story about the Heat hysteria that was taking over South Florida at the time.