Car Stolen In Bloomfield While Owner Unloads Groceries: Police

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A Bloomfield resident’s car was stolen on Ampere Parkway last month while she unloaded groceries from her car, police say. Authorities said that the victim left her keys in the ignition and the car running at the time, a similar situation to another recent theft on the busy street.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, officers responded to Ampere Parkway on Oct. 31 after receiving a report of a motor vehicle theft. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who said that the theft took place as she was unloading her groceries from her vehicle and walking to the front steps of her residence.

She told the officer that she left the keys in the ignition and the car running. When she turned around, she saw someone stealing her vehicle. The suspect made a right turn onto Chester Avenue and drove away from the scene, the victim stated.

The victim’s neighbor allegedly saw the suspect enter the stolen car and described him as a male in a black-hooded sweatshirt, police said.

The vehicle had On-Star services, allowing authorities to track the car to a location in East Orange, police said.

KEYS IN THE IGNITION

In a separate incident last August, an Ampere Parkway resident reported that their 2010 Toyota Corolla was stolen. The vehicle was left running in the driveway with the keys in the ignition, police said.

• See related article: Bloomfield Residents Leave Cars Running, Then They're Stolen

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Enzo DiCostanzo