Posted on Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 1:35 p.m.
Car left running is stolen from Ann Arbor parking lot
By Lee Higgins
A car was stolen Tuesday morning from an apartment complex parking lot on Birch Hollow Drive after it was left running to warm up, an Ann Arbor police report said.
A man was inside his second-floor apartment telling his girlfriend he was leaving when he saw his silver 2008 Dodge Charger back out of its parking spot, police said.
The 41-year-old victim saw the car traveling west on Birch Hollow Drive at about 7:53 a.m. He didn't get a look at the driver, the report said.
Comments
djm12652
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 5:39 p.m.
@ricebrnr, my car is outside all the time and I scrape the outside windows and if the interior fogs, even cold air will evaporate the interior frost, my guess is that it is strictly for comfort. Wonder how much gas is used every morning just in the state of Michigan by people wanting that comfort...and just how many of those cars are stolen?
Ricebrnr
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 11:15 a.m.
Well other than for comfort, people without shelters or garages need to warm up th ecar to defrost/de-ice the windows....
Barb
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 10:16 a.m.
I don't understand why people still do this. What a waste.
billy
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 1:51 a.m.
Thats what my junkie ex told me and she knew the D. You can get anything in Detroit, if you got cash. I'm sure a 2008 Dodge Charger commanded some major cash, and i'm sure the thief is far far away laughing all the way to the ghetto bank(bag of weed, cash, credit) ha ha
ronn oneal
Thu, Dec 31, 2009 : 12:06 a.m.
@ Billy, The D really dont pay for stolen cars. the pay is average $50.00=$100.00. Not worth the heat cause the thieve rode all nite or all day before trying to get rid of.......
billy
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 8:19 p.m.
That is a really sweet car. That crook is is going to have a story to tell for a while, hope he had a good time. And yeah, if he didn't lock the doors he should have although someone might have busted the window to drive it off. That car could buy 2 or 3 days worth of rock or dope in the D.
cinnabar7071
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 7:51 p.m.
If I were an insurance agent, I'd have a hard time making a pay out on this. Kinda like setting your home on fire, and then making a claim.
ronn oneal
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 5:48 p.m.
I warm my car but lock the doors. Do you think that debreaking the window on a old beater that mite not have enough gas to get past Belleville, really worth it? Where do they find most cars stolen this way? sounds like somebody see a easy joy ride across town. And leave them.(some)
Michigan Reader
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 5:30 p.m.
I do this alot on cold winter mornings--EXCEPT I have a spare key which I use to start the car. I lock the car door, I then go inside. I then have my "regular" keys to lock my front door and my car door.
tdw
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 5:11 p.m.
In Detroit its a ticket
djm12652
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 4:26 p.m.
Why does the report say the victim didn't get a look at the driver? Why not call a car thief a car thief?
roz
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 3:51 p.m.
I've done this from time to time, though not in an apartment complex. Yes, I know it's dumb. I'm glad I didn't get caught out like this poor guy.
djm12652
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 3:44 p.m.
I was told by my old insurance agent that in some areas leaving a vehicle running and unattended is a non moving violation and expensive ticket and some insurance companies may not pay out a stolen claim. Whether the doors were locked or not, how cold could it be to drive? As long as you don't press the engine as soon as you start your car, driving after 10 seconds is not a problem. I was told that the engine will warm up quicker if the car is being driven rather than sitting there with a big neon sign that says "STEAL ME" no one is in the car...not to mention the cost of a wasted fossil fuel, and the emissions...
Ricebrnr
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 2:12 p.m.
Would be nice to know if the driver bothered to lock his door while warming up his car. I'm going to guess not.
Lee Higgins
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 2:01 p.m.
Hi march, The police are not releasing that information at this time.
march
Wed, Dec 30, 2009 : 1:57 p.m.
Why wasn't the license plate number included on the story?