14 Vehicles with Keys in Ignition Stolen in 48 Hours: Police

Arctic air has settled across the state, which means it's the busy season for car thieves in Minnesota. In the past 48 hours, Minneapolis police officers have responded to 14 stolen vehicle reports where the vehicle was left running with the keys in the ignition.

Leaving a vehicle running, unoccupied with the keys in the ignition is illegal in Minneapolis under city ordinance 478.160.

While it's cold outside and no one likes to get into a cold car, police say when you start it and walk away while it's warming up, you are making life very easy for thieves.

"Don't put a target on your car," Minneapolis police said on Facebook.

Minneapolis isn't the only city seeing this problem. During the first half of December, Saint Paul police received 33 reports of cars being stolen after their owners left them running, unlocked, with the keys in the ignition.

It's always best to stay with your vehicle while it warms up.

Image via Tony Webster, Flickr, used under Creative Commons