Community tips help find stolen Shorewood vehicle
SHOREWOOD, Wis. (CBS 58) – The car owner admits she left her vehicle running in her driveway. Her Nest camera captured the fast-acting thieves.
The theft happened Wednesday, January 8th. Samantha Biallas says she ran inside because she forgot her lunch.
“I made the mistake, and I’m definitely paying for it,” says Biallas. “But with that being said, it’s still my car and it was still stolen.”
Biallas’ Nest camera captured the incident.
“Started my car, was sitting in it, and then I realized that I had forgotten my lunch inside,” describes Biallas.
In a matter of seconds you can see how the thief steps out of a different car, gets into Biallas’ 2017 Mazda CX-5, and quickly takes off.
Aside from filing a police report, Biallas took to social media pointing out key characteristics that make her car stand out.
“After market roof rails, which my car is the only Mazda I’ve seen in the area with those specific roof rails,” says Biallas. “I also have two large cracks on my windshield, and dark carbon black rims.”
Just a few days after the theft Biallas spotted her car around town.
“I called the cops right away and said ‘I’m following my stolen car’, says Biallas. “I paid attention to street signs and let them know which direction they were going.”
She wasn’t the only one who had seen it. Numerous tips were called into the Shorewood Police Department, helping authorities track down the car.
She’s not sure of the condition the car will be in once it’s returned to her. Police were still gathering evidence after tracking it down late Wednesday afternoon.
“Definitely always shut your car off and aware of your surroundings,” says Baillas.