Stolen Car Hit a Building After Fleeing Thief Left It in Drive

River Forest, IL - Police arrested an accused car thief Jan. 17 after he reportedly fled the stolen car while it was still in drive, leaving it to roll across a street and strike a building.

Kadrion Gipson, 18 of Forest Park, was arrested and charged with criminal trespass to motor vehicle, resisting arrest, reckless conduct, no valid driver’s license and other traffic offenses, according to River Forest police.

Officers were called at 8:42 a.m. Jan. 17 for a report of a car stolen from a driveway in the 200 block of Franklin. The car had been left running with the keys in the ignition, police reported.

The officer who took the report spotted the car later, at 1:36 p.m., near Lake Street and Lathrop in River Forest. He confirmed the car was still reported stolen, and he called for backup from other police units.

Police tried to pull the car over at Quick and Harlem, but the driver immediately got out of the car and ran away, leaving the car in drive.

The car rolled across Harlem Avenue and hit a building at Harlem Avenue and Ontario. Officers secured the car and chased down Gipson, police reported. The car was returned to its owner.

Photo courtesy of River Forest police.