A thief swiped an SUV left unoccupied in Superior Township this morning, crashed it moments after a Washtenaw County sheriff's deputy spotted it and then escaped on foot, authorities say.

Deputies are still trying to track down the thief and are asking anyone who has information to come forward, said Washtenaw County Sheriff's Lt. Jim Anuszkiewicz.

Anuszkiewicz said a red 2004 Ford Explorer was stolen from the 1700 block of Stephens Drive in Superior Township sometime this morning. The vehicle was left outside a residence and was running and unoccupied, he said.

Anuszkiewicz said a deputy saw the vehicle shortly after noon near Harris Road and Ecorse Road in Ypsilanti Township.

"By the time the deputy (who had been driving by) had turned around to engage the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle crashed," Anuszkiewicz said.

Anuszkiewicz said the driver lost control of the vehicle near Harris Road and Share Street, and no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The driver got out and was able to elude deputies, Anuszkiewicz said.

The thief was described as black, in his late teens and was last seen wearing a black coat and black pants.

Anuszkiewicz said the stolen vehicle wasn't drivable and was being taken to a tow yard.

Anuszkiewicz advised motorists not to leave their vehicles unattended while warming them up through the winter.

Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office at (734) 971-3954 or the anonymous tip line at (734) 973-7711.