BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- A group of joyriders has been taking expensive new cars from Alabama dealerships, then driving them to cross-dressing pageants at nightclubs before abandoning them, police said.

The thieves apparently just want the cars to drive to the clubs. "I guess they just wanted to look good when they got there," Birmingham auto theft Sgt. D.P. Smith said Monday.

The group has been giving dealers the slip in lots in Tuscaloosa, Selma, Montgomery, Huntsville and Birmingham. Investigators have recovered about 10 to 15 cars in Birmingham and as far away as New Orleans and Memphis, Tenn. Police also have the keys to at least 20 others.

"We need all dealerships to do an inventory of their keys and their cars. Cars may be missing, and they may not even know it," Smith said.

Investigators have recovered Acuras, Nissans, Volkswagens, Lincoln Navigators and others. Inside those cars, they found dealership pamphlets, business cards and more car keys. They also found makeup, women's clothing and pageant trophies, said Smith.

"It's just like a shopping spree for them," the detective said. "They take them on Thursdays or Fridays and then go to these shows around the Southeast on the weekend." [...]