Reason number 302 to never leave your vehicle running unattended at the gas station. Dowagiac Police report that they were successful in recovering a stolen vehicle and arresting the driver within minutes of the vehicle being stolen.
Last night, Tuesday, February 23rd at approximately 8:46 pm, Dowagiac Police were called to the BP Gas Station located at 101 N. Front St. in Dowagiac in reference to vehicle that had just been stolen from there.
Officers made contact with the victim who advised that they had purchased gas for their vehicle and went inside of the store and left the vehicle running while unoccupied. A womab who was in the parking lot was observed getting into the vehicle and driving it away.
Responding officers alerted colleagues of the vehicle and provided a description of the thief. A Dowagiac Police Department Officer located the vehicle and stopped it on Riverside Drive near Dogwood Circle within just minutes of the original call being placed.
Officers were able to identify the thief and take her into custody. They also learned that she had a valid arrest warrant out from Saginaw Township for a motor vehicle theft in that jurisdiction. The vehicle was returned to the owner undamaged.
Officers arrested the 27 year old woman from Cassopolis on a charge of Unlawful Driving Away of an Automobile (UDAA) and for the similar outstanding warrant out of Saginaw Township. She was lodged at the Cass County Jail on those charges. Her name is being withheld pending her arraignment in Cass County District Court. All charges are pending authorization from the Cass County Prosecutor’s Office.
No one was injured in the incident, in which the Dowagiac Police were assisted by Pokagon Tribal Police.
Dowagiac Police are reminding everyone to never leave your vehicle running while at a business or home and unoccupied. Dowagiac Police have received several calls of stolen vehicles due to them being left running and unoccupied. They also recommend that you not leave any keys in the your vehicle, even if hidden, while at your residence or business, inasmuch as they have also received several complaints of stolen vehicles wherein the keys have been found inside and the vehicles then stolen. They encourage you to lock your vehicle at all times and never leave valuables in your vehicle no matter where you leave it.
