Car Locks Itself, Trapping Seattle Thief Inside

SEATTLE, WA — During this car theft, the car fought back. A local car thief took a BMW for a joyride overnight Sunday, but employees at the company's corporate headquarters were able to remotely lock the car, trapping the man inside.

Seattle Police say that the thief, age 38, was out with friends prowling cars along the 4300 block of Eighth Avenue Northeast when he came across an unlocked BMW 550i. When he entered the car, the thief found a set of keys, enabling him to take vehicle for a ride.

Around 5 a.m., the vehicle's owner discovered her car was gone and called 911. Seattle Police were able to get in touch with BMW corporate headquarters, and employees there located the car along the 2100 block of Northeast 63rd Street. When officers arrived, the BMW was sitting in an alley, running, and with the thief sleeping in the driver's seat.

That's when BMW locked the doors, allowing police to approach the car and arrest the thief.

Police brought him to the King County Jail on suspicion of auto theft and drug possession; he was found carrying a small amount of methamphetamine, police said.

BMW's car theft system has worked similar magic in recovering cars. In Berkeley, California, recently, BMW employees were able to contact local police about a stolen vehicle parked in the city.

Seattle Police had a sense of humor about the ordeal, throwing in a reference to another famous robot car.

Image via Shutterstock