Thief Steals Unlocked Cop Car With Keys Inside

Man jumps in police cruiser and takes off while officer is serving arrest warrants

It seems a New Carrollton police officer almost made it too easy for one criminal to steal his car.

It happened at about 3 a.m. on Sunday.  Police Chief David Rice told the Washington Post that an officer had called for backup while trying to serve two arrest warrants at an apartment building.

According to Chief Rice, Sgt. Vince Lyew responded to the call.  But he forgot to turn his car off and lock the doors.  Once he left the vehicle, a man jumped in and drove off.

Every officer on duty was called in to search for the missing cruiser.  Rice said the car was found about an hour later between two buildings just one block from the apartment building.  Nothing was missing.

Rice said it’s a breach of protocol for an officer to leave his vehicle running and unlocked.  Lyew will remain on normal duty status while the department investigates.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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