Full Notification

The Livermore Police Department would like to remind our community members not to leave their cars idling/running while unattended.

Some community members start their vehicles to warm them up and leave them running while they go back inside their residence. Others may leave their vehicle running while they quickly run into a store or conduct some other short errand. A vehicle that is left unattended and running is a prime target to be stolen.

On 3/21/16, at about 6:30 am, a victim reported that an unknown suspect stole his Buick while it was warming up, unattended, in his driveway on the north side of town. About 20 minutes later, and LPD officer made an unrelated pedestrian stop on two subjects walking in the area of First St and Las Positas Rd. One of the subjects that was stopped was found to be on a parole and a search of his person was conducted. That subject was found to be in possession of a Buick key. Another officer searched the area and found the stolen Buick abandoned nearby. The investigation revealed that the key in possession of the parolee belonged to the recovered stolen Buick and the parolee was taken into custody for the vehicle theft.

The same day at about 10:00 am a Toyota minivan was left unattended and running in front of a business near the intersection of E Stanley Blvd and Murrieta Blvd. The Toyota was stolen and has not been recovered.

Each of these crimes could have been avoided. It is also illegal to leave a vehicle running while unattended. The Livermore Municipal Code 10.20.080 states that no person shall leave a motor vehicle, except a commercial motor vehicle, unattended on any street, alley, used-car lot or unattended parking lot without first stopping the engine, and removing and taking the key from the vehicle.