$1,000 reward offered for information on Dr. Phil's stolen car

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information on TV host Phil McGraw's vintage black Chevy, which was stolen from a Burbank repair shop.

The host of the "Dr. Phil" show was having trouble with the 1957 convertible's engine before he took it to the auto restoration shop RODZ Fabrication Co., which is putting up the reward.

Burbank police suspect the theft occcured around midnight Sunday when a burglar alarm was tripped at the shop in the 2800 block of North Lincoln Street in Burbank.

Investigators believe the thieves cut the lock to the secured gate, then pried open a metal roll-up gate, said Burbank police Sgt. Darin Ryburn.

Police are still not sure how the thieves got into the car, although the keys were at the business. There was no security video.

Burbank police said McGraw put the estimated value of the car with its upgrades at about $100,000.

The reward is being offered by the auto shop for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thief and safe return of the car. Anyone with information is asked to call the Burbank Police Department at (818) 238-3210.

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-- Andrew Blankstein and Melissa Leu

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Photo: Phil McGraw speaks onstage during the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on Aug. 30, 2009. Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images.