Police: Colder Weather Could Mean More Auto Thefts

Chris McKinnon, News 9

Moore, Oklahoma -- Moore Resident Seth Coleman stands in his empty driveway Saturday, just one day after his 2000 GMC Jimmy was stolen from that very spot.

"It couldn't have been a minute, you know. I literally ran back to the kitchen to get my breakfast. Just how fast it happened I tend to think that they were probably watching," Coleman explained.

The theft happened around 6:15 a.m. on Friday while Coleman was getting ready for work.

"It was cold yesterday morning so I started the car to warm it up a little bit," Coleman said.

While he was grabbing a piece of toast for breakfast, Coleman heard tire screeching outside. That is when an unknown suspect got away with SUV.

While Coleman never thought this would happen in his neighborhood, it is a theft that police say could happen more frequently in the coming months as more and more drivers try to warm up their cars before heading out the door for the day.

Police told Coleman that even in a safe neighborhood, criminals can strike quickly.

"He said people roam the neighborhoods sometimes," Coleman said.

After the theft, Coleman worried about the safety of his home and his family since his keys were inside the stolen vehicle.

"I just had to make a trip to Lowe's and get new doorknobs just so, you know, just so we could feel safe. I don't know if they would come back," Coleman said.

Saturday afternoon, Coleman was still puzzled over why he was the one targeted this time,

"Maybe they've seen me do that before and known that it's an opportunity," Coleman said.

News 9 was informed Saturday evening that police have found Coleman's SUV.