ORLANDO, Fla. — The owner of a Parramore business believes someone made money off his business’ parking lot by charging people to park there during the Orlando City game Sunday.
Hayley Brush, whose father owns Precision Metal Services, said he came to work to find that someone had cut off the chain that was on the fence to the parking lot and replaced it with a new one.
“Cut the chain, then put their own chain and lock on the gate,” she said. “So he had to go open the other gate, which is a passcode lock.”
Barbed wire keeps most people off their property when the business closed on the weekend.
“People who have nothing to lose. We could have shown up at any time,” said Brush.
Sunday was the big Orlando City home opener, which was sold out.
Based on the beer bottles and other trash in the parking lot of the business, Brush believes someone profited off her family’s property.
“We think people were trying to park people’s cars here and tailgate,” she said.
They were able to cut the chain and allow workers in Monday morning.
Brush said she is relieved that there was only trash, no damage and that the culprits locked up when they left.
She said it’s a good thing no one got hurt and didn’t get into the business, which is focused on sheet metal fabrication.
Brush said there is a tub of flammable paint thinner outside, where people may have been grilling.
“You know, if people don’t know, they toss a cigarette in there and poof,” she said.
She thinks cameras would get stolen, so she and her family plan to swing by the business on the next home game.
“I don’t know, maybe try to park some cars myself and make some money that we didn’t make, but they did make,” said Brush.
No other businesses appeared to be hit in the area.
Nearby residents said they didn’t have issues with parking, and Orlando police didn’t receive any other complaints.
Cox Media Group
