Not even cars parked in church parking lots are safe from theft.
Sunday, Bainbridge Public Safety officer Christopher Prindle responded to a walk-in at BPS headquarters in reference to a white Dodge Avenger stolen from the parking lot of Union Missionary Church on Martin Street.
The owner of the vehicle left her doors unlocked with keys and a phone sitting inside. When she tried calling her phone, a male answered then quickly hung up.
The case was turned over to BPS Investigator Ryan Deen, who was notified by Tallahassee police that the alleged thieves had been caught. One was a juvenile, the other an adult.
“This is the third time I’ve dealt with (the adult),” Deen said. “He’s a habitual violator and he’s likely to do it again.”
Deen said the two allegedly drove the stolen car down to Panama City Beach, Fla., then moved to Tallahassee, Fla., to attempt breaking into more vehicles before getting caught.
According to Deen, the juvenile has been picked up by juvenile services to be detained. The adult, currently in Tallahassee jail, will be transported to Decatur County Wednesday for an unrelated court date.
Deen emphasized the importance of simply locking car doors.
“Take the keys out, or purses and valuable in plain view,” Deen said. “Even in a church parking lot. People just need to think if they have something in their car valuable, somebody will take it if you leave them in there, including the car.”