A Dowagiac business owner learned the hard way last night that it’s not a good idea to leave your vehicle unattended and running even if you’re just headed back into your building for something you forgot, or to take care of business however brief that business may be. During his brief absence, his 2010 Jeep Wrangler was stolen from his own parking lot while he tended to business.
The Jeep was stolen from the 600 block of North Front Street in Dowagiac shortly after 7pm Tuesday night, and police were alerted to the theft.
Fortunately for that unidentified business owner, Pokagon Band Tribal Police spotted the a Jeep matching the description shortly after the businessman had called the Dowagiac Department of Public Safety to report the theft. Dowagiac authorities joined the Tribal Police a short distance away on the same road and confronted several out of town teenagers found inside the Jeep.
Dowagiac Police Sergeant David Davis reports that a 17-year old woman from Mishawaka, Indiana was arrested and found to be carrying a concealed, loaded handgun. She was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and carrying a concealed weapon. Her companion, an 18-year old man from Kalamazoo has been charged in regard to the stolen Jeep as well.
The two were found inside the Jeep outside of the Judge Convenience store located at M-51 North and M-152 just north of Dowagiac and taken into custody. Eventually, the business owner was reunited with his Jeep. The teen-aged thieves will be arraigned before the day is out, and are being held in the Cass County Jail.
