Are you in the habit of leaving your car unlocked and running at stores or gas stations? Even if it’s just for a moment, it’s not safe and leaves you vulnerable to car thieves, according to the Port St. Lucie Police Department.
The agency has arrested one man believed to have stolen one such car from a St. Lucie West 7-Eleven. Rodney Delince, 21, of Boynton Beach, Fla., was arrested in Broward County on Jan. 7, two days after police think he stole a 2015 White Nissan Altima that was left running in front of the 7-Eleven on St. Lucie West Boulevard.
The vehicle was recovered in Pompano Beach. According to police, Delince exited the passenger side of a newer model white or silver vehicle and drove off in the Nissan Altima. The suspect vehicle, too, took off.
A few minutes later, according to police, both the suspect vehicle and the stolen Altima pulled into the RaceTrac, located at 221 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd. The driver of the suspect vehicle climbed into a 2017 blue Toyota Corolla that had been left unlocked and running.
Authorities are searching for at least two other suspects.
Anyone with information regarding either of the two vehicle thefts or the suspects is encouraged to contact Port St. Lucie Police Detectives Harrington or Boice by calling either 772-871-5037 or 772-871-5172, respectively, or remain anonymous and call Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers 800-273-TIPS (8477).
