Warming Up Your Car In The Morning Could Result In Theft: Police

BIRMINGHAM, AL — With Birmingham seeing some of the coldest temperatures of the winter over the last week, police say the custom of leaving your car running in the morning to warm it up could lead to theft.

"During the cold winter months, some people leave their vehicles idling with the doors unlocked outside their homes to warm the interior," Sgt. Rod Mauldin of the Birmingham Police Department said. "Some even leave their cars running while they make quick trips into local businesses such as convenient stores. It takes less than 5 seconds for someone to steal your car in these circumstances."

Not only could warming your car and leaving it unattended result in theft of the car, but it can also lead to other crimes, Mauldin said.

"Often the thieves use the stolen cars to commit a host of other crimes," Mauldin said. "The Birmingham Police Department would like to urge the community to keep your cars secure and take extra precaution to safeguard your belongings. Don’t get left in the cold, lock your vehicles."