Tag: vehicle theft

Keys left in vehicle result in auto theft

Clarksville Police continue to urge all residents not to leave their keys in their vehicles or leave their running unattended. The following auto theft resulted directly from that kind of lack of foresight.

On the morning of January 25 at approximately 8:45 a.m., a 20-year old woman parked her 2005 Nissan Altima at the gs pumps of the Shell Convenience Mart located at 600 Rossview Road. She left the keys inside the vehicle (allegedly not running) and went into the Shell Mart. When she departed the mart to return to her vehicle, she discovered it had been driven off by an unknown person. The woman called 911 to report her vehicle had been stolen.

The vehicle was spotted by Sgt. Scott Hendrickson on the 76Connector shortly after the theft. He attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled onto I-24, eastbound at a high rate of speed.   A ‘be on the lookout’ was issued on the vehicle to the local and surrounding areas. Around 2:45 p.m., Officer Jack Hemmingsen found and recovered the stolen vehicle at 920 Power Street. The vehicle was unoccupied  and in front of Lot 9.

After viewing the store video, it was determined the suspect stood by the brick pillars at the gas pumps, apparently waiting for a customer to leave their vehicle. He would then look to see whether they had left  the keys in the vehicle. He looked into five vehicles before coming upon the Nissan. The video shows that the victim had not even reached the store’s entrance before the vehicle was stolen.

Additionally, about 20 minutes prior to the theft, the suspect was seen walking on Warfield Blvd in front of the Rite-Aid and then crossing to the Shell Station.

Witnesses described the suspect as a male in his 30s, 5’11”, 150-170 lbs with a goatee.

The lead investigator is Detective Rodney Lifsey, 931-648=0656, ext 5898 or the TIPSLINE, 931-645-8477.