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2030 North Arlington Avenue • Duluth, Minnesota 55811 • www.duluthmn.gov
Public Information Officer, Mattie Hjelseth at (218) 730-5434 or mhjelseth@duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Stolen Vehicle
BY: Public Information Officer Ron Tinsley (218) 391-1510
NATURE OF INCIDENT: Stolen Vehicle (UPDATE)
CASE NO.: 14254768
INCIDENT DATE: 11/17/2014
INCIDENT TIME: 9:41 p.m.
INCIDENT LOCATION: 2300 Mountain Shadow Drive
Vehicle Theft
On November 17, 2014, at 9:41 PM, the Duluth Police Department responded to the theft of a 2005 Toyota Corolla on Mountain Shadow Drive in the Miller Hill Mall area. The owner reported starting the vehicle and leaving it running to warm up. When he returned to it five minutes later, it was gone. The vehicle later lost control traveling at a high rate of speed and crashed off of Skyline Parkway near Hank Jensen Drive. The driver/thief abandoned the vehicle and it is presumed that there are no injuries. The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s help in determining the identity of the driver and any information can be reported to the property crimes unit at 730-5160.
THIS WAS A PREVENTABLE CRIME.
With winter weather upon us, the Duluth Police Department would like to remind people that it is a violation of City Ordinance 33-91 to leave your vehicle unattended with the keys in it. Car prowls and vehicle thefts are crimes of opportunity and can happen anyplace, anytime. Lock it if you don’t want to lose it. Take the following action to prevent theft:
· NEVER leave your car running. If you want to warm up your car, invest in a remote car starter. These devices have security features that will shut the car down if someone tries to enter it or drive it without the key.
· NEVER leave your keys in the car. Most auto thefts reported to the Duluth Police Department have involved cars that have been left running with the keys in the ignition, or the key has been found “hidden” within the vehicle by the car prowler/thief.
· ALWAYS lock your car, and NEVER leave valuables (or any item that looks like it may contain valuables such as back packs, shopping bags, etc.) in plain view, even if your car is locked. If you must leave anything in your car, put it in the trunk.
