Savannah-Chatham police have released video of a recent auto theft in an effort to remind residents that leaving cars parked, running and unlocked is a bad idea.
After dark on Jan. 16, surveillance cameras at a westside Savannah service station recorded a woman exiting her running car then walking away without locking the door. Seconds later, a male subject dressed in dark clothing circled the car, entered the driver’s side door, backed out of the parking space, and drove away.
The 16-year-old car thief was later identified by detectives, said Eunicia Baker, metro police spokeswoman. The suspect was arrested Jan. 18, and charged with theft by receiving.
From Jan. 11-17, all four reported auto thefts in the Downtown Precinct resulted from vehicles being left unlocked and with keys inside, Baker said.
The car stolen in the recording was recovered and returned to its owner.
Roughly 80 percent of Savannah’s stolen automobiles are recovered, Baker said. In most cases, however, vehicles are returned to owners in a damaged state, she said.
Metro Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin urges residents to be proactive in keeping occurrences of auto theft and all other crimes down by immediately reporting suspicious activity. Citizens can do so by calling 911 or the department’s non-emergency line at 912-652-6500.