Is your car safe in your driveway?
Unlocked cars are proving tempting targets for joyriders and stereo thieves
Staff writer
Police are warning people to be careful parking their cars after a car thief caused nearly $3,500 worth of damage when he or she stole a car from a residential driveway, took it on a joyride, wrecked it, and ripped out its stereo.
The thief entered the unlocked 2000 Pontiac Grand Am in the driveway of George Lynn Hotchkiss in the 1300 block of East Main Street, Marion, found the keys in the car, and drove it on Eisenhower Road, hitting two speed limit signs along the way, police said.
The ride ended when the car crashed into a field at Eisenhower and U.S. 56. Both airbags were deployed, and the car sustained considerable damage.
The thief then ripped out the back seat of the vehicle and stole a Pioneer amplifier, two 15-inch Memphis speakers, and a box containing stereo equipment. Total value of the car and stereo equipment was estimated at $3,495.
Marion County Sheriff’s Department found the car at 5 a.m. Thursday and called Marion Police Officer Clinton Jeffrey, who investigated.
Marion Police Chief Josh Whitwell said the car most likely was stolen around 4 a.m. because tire tracks in the field were fresh.
Whitwell said police had multiple witnesses, fingerprints from the car, and a suspect for the crime.
The stereo equipment may have been the reason the car was targeted, he said.
Jeffrey also investigated a theft of stereo equipment at 5:15 a.m. June 16 from a car owned by Mark Bradley Kukuk in the 200 block of South Cedar Street. A Kenwood amp, Alpine 12-inch subwoofer, and iPod were taken with unforced entry into the vehicle.