Columbia Police Department (CPD) investigators with the Property Crimes Unit are releasing surveillance video of a male suspect caught stealing a vehicle in an effort to identify him.
The crime happened shortly before 6:00 a.m. on January 30, 2020 at 135 Veterans Road (Americas Best Value Inn).
The primary suspect is accused of stealing a Ford F-150 XLT from the parking lot of the motel after the truck’s owner left the keys in the ignition to warm up the vehicle before his morning commute.
Citizens with information about the crime or who may recognize the man in the video are encouraged to contact CRIMESTOPPERS in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
DOWNLOAD the new P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.
Safety Tips to Avoid Vehicle Theft:
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended with keys in the ignition/No idling/Do not hide extra set of keys inside
• Always lock your vehicle’s doors
• Close windows/sunroof
• Do not leave valuables in plain view
• Consider anti-theft security devices / alarms
If your car is stolen:
- Call 9-1-1
- Make sure you know the license plate and vehicle’s VIN numbers
- If you see someone stealing your car, try to get a good description of the suspect/suspects
It’s also beneficial to take a picture of your vehicle for record keeping purposes. You can give the picture to law enforcement to aid in the vehicle’s recovery.