Hot Springs police responded to two separate incidents on Monday morning where vehicles left idling and unattended were stolen, prompting a caution from the department.
Officers recovered one vehicle shortly after it was taken and are currently searching for the second.
The first theft took place at the Exxon gas station, 1200 Central Ave., around 7:45 a.m. According to Officer 1st Class Joey Williams, the driver reportedly left his vehicle running at the pump while he entered the station. When he returned, his vehicle was gone.
Williams said that as the officer was taking the report, the vehicle owner noticed his car driving past the gas station. The officer reportedly stopped taking the report and followed the stolen vehicle, arresting the driver a short time later.
The second vehicle was stolen around 9 a.m. from a driveway on Bower Street. The owner reportedly started their car and left it to warm up in the driveway. When they came out to get into the vehicle, it was gone. Police have yet to recover the vehicle.
"The fact is, if your care does get stolen, it can be involved in a dangerous pursuit, a crime, or some other disaster that comes back and affects your insurance. It's also illegal to leave it running and unattended," Williams said.
The Arkansas Code, under "Unattended motor vehicles," states that "No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing the key, or, when standing upon any perceptible grade, without effectively setting the brake and turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway."
The department issued a caution on social media Monday morning, acknowledging that citizens want to warm up their cars before getting in on a cold morning, but asking them to reconsider.
"Point blank, you should never leave your car running if you're not in it," Williams said.
Local on 02/06/2018