South Sound News

Authorities warn drivers to not leave their cars running unattended during cold weather

Law enforcement officials in Pierce County say freezing temperatures are giving thieves an even better opportunity to steal cars.
Nearly a third of all the cars stolen in Pierce County since Monday were being warmed up with the keys inside, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
Ingra Aamodt from University Place nearly became a victim Monday afternoon.
Aamodt owns Aussie Pet Mobile, a mobile pet grooming company. She was giving her dog, Justice, a bath in the back of her van when she noticed a stranger in the driver's seat.
"It felt like somebody was getting into the vehicle, so I looked in the front and I was like, who is that?" she said.
Surveillance video from Aamodt's home shows a woman walking up to the van. The woman sees the van is running and it appears no one is behind the wheel. She tries to open the driver's side door, which was locked. Then, the woman walks over to the passenger's side door, where she was able to get inside.
Aamodt says she noticed the suspect just in time.
"She had just put her foot on the brake and she was transitioning into drive," Aamodt explains. "I was like, who are you?"
Aamodt, who is a veteran, chased after the woman, who took off running, while recording the event on Facebook Live. A neighbor helped apprehend the suspect until deputies arrived and arrested her.
"You gotta be pretty gutsy to steal a mobile grooming van," she says, "It can happen so fast."
Deputies say this suspect is not the only one targeting cars that people leave running during freezing weather.
"In that case we got lucky, but that also could have turned into something far worse," says Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
With another freeze expected starting Friday, officials are hoping drivers without remote starters refrain from leaving running vehicles unattended.
"Starting your car and leaving your keys in the car is a bad idea," Troyer said.
Aamodt says she'll make sure all her doors are locked in the future.
"Even if you're watching your car from your front door, somebody could hop right in your car and be gone," she said.

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP